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of 151 Buckinghamshire Pension Fund Annual Report

Buckinghamshire Pension Fund Annual Report

Table of Contents

Scheme Management and Advisors ........................................................................................................ 1

Introduction by the Head of Projects and Pensions ................................................................................. 2

The Pensions and Investments Team ...................................................................................................... 4

Local Government Pension Scheme Benefits ........................................................................................... 6

Risk Management ................................................................................................................................... 9

Risk Management Report ................................................................................................................................. 9

Internal Audit Testing .................................................................................................................................... 19

Financial Performance Overview........................................................................................................... 20

Five-year analysis of pension overpayments, recoveries and any amounts written off ..................................... 22

Employee Contributions ................................................................................................................................. 22

An analysis of amounts due to the Fund from Employers ................................................................................ 23

Average Employer and Employee contributions received 1 April 2019 - 31 March 2020 .................................... 24

Investment Policy and Performance Report .......................................................................................... 30

Scheme Administration ........................................................................................................................ 33

How the Service is Delivered .......................................................................................................................... 33

Value for money statement ............................................................................................................................ 36

Summary of Key Projects Undertaken by Administration Team 2019/2020 ...................................................... 36

Key Performance Data ................................................................................................................................... 37

Governance Statements ....................................................................................................................... 42

The Pension Fund Committee ............................................................................................................... 49

Buckinghamshire Pension Board ........................................................................................................... 50

Annual Review of the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund Board ................................................................. 51

Pensions Administration Strategy ......................................................................................................... 53

Communications Policy Statement ........................................................................................................ 62

Funding Strategy Statement ................................................................................................................. 71

Aims and purpose of the Fund .............................................................................................................. 71

Investment Strategy Statement ............................................................................................................ 87

History of the Fund ............................................................................................................................... 94

Actuary’s Statement as at 31st March 2020 ........................................................................................... 96

Statement of Responsibilities for the Statement of Accounts ................................................................ 99

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of BPF ........................................................................ 100

Pension Fund Accounts ....................................................................................................................... 101

Buckinghamshire Pension Fund Annual Report

Net assets statement ................................................................................................................................... 102

Description of the Fund ................................................................................................................................ 103

Accounting Policies and Critical Judgement in Applying Accounting Policies .................................................. 105

Critical Judgements in Applying Accounting Policies ...................................................................................... 108

Contributions ............................................................................................................................................... 110

Investments ................................................................................................................................................. 112

Investment Management Arrangements ...................................................................................................... 115

Analysis of the Value of Investments ............................................................................................................ 116

Financial Instruments ................................................................................................................................... 117

Valuation of Financial Instruments Carried at Fair Value ............................................................................... 118

Additional Financial Risk Management Disclosures ....................................................................................... 122

Related Parties ............................................................................................................................................ 128

Current Assets and Liabilities........................................................................................................................ 129

Taxes on Income .......................................................................................................................................... 129

Actuarial Position of the Fund ...................................................................................................................... 130

Actuarial Present Value of Promised Retirement Benefits ............................................................................. 132

Contingent Liabilities and Contractual Commitments .................................................................................... 134

Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) ................................................................................................... 135

List of Scheduled and Admitted Bodies ......................................................................................................... 136

Scheduled Bodies ......................................................................................................................................... 136

Investment Pooling ............................................................................................................................. 139

Contact us .......................................................................................................................................... 145

Glossary of Terms and Acronyms Used ................................................................................................ 146

Buckinghamshire Pension Fund Annual Report Page 1 of 148

Scheme Management and Advisors

*For the purpose of this document, all references to BCC have been replaced with BC. Equally, all references to BCCPF have been replaced with BPF

Administering Authority

Buckinghamshire Council (BC) from 1st April 2020 Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC) to 31 March 2020*

Pension Fund Committee (BC unless stated)

Cllr John Chilver (Chairman) Cllr David Martin (Vice-Chairman) Cllr Arif Hussain (to 30 June 2019) Cllr Ralph Bagge (from 1 July 2019) Cllr Timothy Butcher Cllr Clive Harriss Cllr Niknam Hussain Cllr John Gladwin - District Councils Cllr Norman Miles - Milton Keynes Council Cllr Matthew Barber - Thames Valley Police

Asset Pool and Asset Pool Operator Brunel Pension Partnership

Advisors

Mercer Investment Consulting Carolan Dobson

Fund Managers

BlackRock Blackstone Alternative Asset Management Investec Asset Management – to November 2019 La Salle Legal & General Investment Management Pantheon Private Equity Partners Group Royal London Asset Management Schroders – to November 2019 Standard Life Investments

Custodian State Street

AVC Providers Scottish Widows Prudential

Actuary Barnett Waddingham LLP

Fund Legal Advisors HB Public Law until 30 September 2019 BC Legal Team from 1 October 2019

Bankers to the Fund Lloyds TSB Bank plc

Fund Accountant Rachael Martinig

Head of Pensions Julie Edwards

Head of Projects and Pensions Mark Preston

Auditor Grant Thornton UK LLP

Scheme Administrators Pensions and Investments Team (BC)


Introduction by the Head of Projects and Pensions Contained within this publication are the reports and accounts of the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund (BPF). The Fund is a part of the statutory Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and was administered by Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC) until 31 March 2020. Buckinghamshire Council (BC) replaced BCC as the Administering Authority with effect from 1 April 2020. The Establishment of Buckinghamshire Council

On 1st April 2020 a new unitary council was established to replace the five District Councils and County Council within Buckinghamshire: Buckinghamshire Council. Since the Administering Authority already provided pension administration services to all the employers concerned, the establishment of Buckinghamshire Council did not have a significant impact on service delivery. During 2019/2020 the Pensions and Investments Team has worked extensively with the relevant employers to ensure a smooth transition. Members employed by the previous employers were subject to a TUPE transfer to the new authority. The team has measures in place to reassure members regarding the continuation of their LGPS benefit provision, as well as communicating any regulatory implications brought about by the new council. COVID-19 Pandemic The outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 has led to unprecedented changes to the country’s economic and social-cultural landscape. The Pensions and Investments Team have followed Government guidelines to mitigate the impact of the virus on the administration of the LGPS. We have sought to prioritise key areas of business and adjust working practices to help slow down the spread of the outbreak and keep staff and service users safe. Brunel Pensions Partnership have stressed the robustness of the LGPS in general as well as their expertise in risk management. It is an uncertain time for many, but we hope to reassure stakeholders that the Fund is well prepared to deal with the short and long-term impacts of the crisis. Pensions and Investment’s Team restructure At the beginning of 2019, the Pensions and Investments Team underwent a restructure to improve service delivery. The restructure resulted in the creation of new posts across the Team. It also created a greater fluidity amongst the sub teams responsible for administering the LGPS. The administration sub teams’ processes are now overseen by a single Pensions Administration Manager, allowing for a more strategic and unified approach to LGPS administration. Brunel Pension Partnership Brunel’s project to transition its clients’ assets made significant progress this year. In total, the organisation completed the transition of approximately £15 billion of assets from its ten Clients, putting them on track to complete the project of transitioning all its Client’s assets by 2021. Other highlights from Brunel’s work this year include the publication of The Brunel Asset Management Accord, as well as the important progress Brunel has made in carrying out its Responsible Investment agenda. Brunel’s full Climate Change Policy, ‘A five-point plan to build a financial system which is fit for a low carbon future’, was published in January 2020. Reflecting on Brunel’s achievements, Laura Chappell, CEO at Brunel Pension Partnership, described 2019/2020 as ‘a pivotal year’ for the organisation. She went on to stress that the organisation’s success lies in its continued commitment to ‘walk the extra mile’ for their clients.


Triennial Valuation This report is based on the contribution rates set out in the 31 March 2016 valuation report that took effect from 1 April 2017. A full triennial valuation of the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund was carried out at 31 March 2019 by Barnett Waddingham LLP and the resulting changes to contribution rates will take effect from 1 April 2020. Barnett Waddingham LLP have clarified that despite the ‘significant movement in investment markets’, due to the COVID-19 crisis, the Funding model developed with regard to the 31 March 2019 valuation has been built to ‘withstand short-term volatility in markets’, as well as instigate a longer-term model to fulfil the ‘ultimate aim of setting stable contributions for employers’. The next formal valuation is not due to take place until 31 March 2022. Barnett Waddingham LLP have recommended that the financial position of the Fund is continually monitored. During 2019/2020 the Government issued a consultation which proposed changing the valuation cycle from a triennial cycle to a quadrennial cycle, bringing it in line with other public funded pension schemes. The consultation also outlined a number of measures to mitigate employer risk. The consultation concluded on 31 July 2019 and a full response with intended outcomes is expected during 2020/2021. Pension Fund Management Update The market value of the Pension Fund as at 31 March 2020 was £2.903bn. The Fund, excluding private equity achieved a return of -3.6%, representing underperformance of 0.9%, compared to the -2.8% benchmark, for the year to 31 March 2020. In the three years to 31 March 2020, the Fund achieved a return of 1.8%, representing underperformance of 0.4% compared to the benchmark of 2.2% for that period. The Fund’s strategy seeks to maximise the value of the Fund without increasing its exposure to risk over the medium to long term in order to meet the pension payment liabilities made, both now and in the future, to Fund members. Investment strategy decisions were made in accordance with the principles in our Investment Strategy Statement. As always, we welcome any comments you have on this publication, or any matter relating to pensions administration, using the contact details available on our website, www.buckscc.gov.uk/pensions, or within our newsletters.

Mark Preston Head of Projects & Pensions Buckinghamshire Council 15 July 2020

http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/pensions


The Pensions and Investments Team The Pensions and Investments Team consists of five sub-teams; Treasury, the Benefit Administration Team, the Employer Liaison Team, the Payroll Team and the Systems Team. The last four sub-teams are responsible for administering the Local Government Pension Scheme (‘the scheme’) overseen by the Pensions Administration Manager.

Benefit Administration Team

At 31 March 2020, there were 24,489 active employees, 29,936 deferred members and 17,920 pensioners. The Benefit Administration Team are responsible for dealing with all member administration on behalf of the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund. The Benefit Administration Team deals with all aspects of benefit administration, from new entrants to the scheme, through to retirement and death. The team’s work also includes the processing and issuing of refunds and pension estimates, responding to member and pensioner queries, issues relating to pension sharing on divorce and transfers of previous pension rights in and out of the scheme.

Payroll Team

The inhouse Payroll Team are responsible for paying all pension benefits. This includes the payment of refunds, death benefits and transfer payments. They process the monthly pensioner payroll, and issue payslips and p60s. There are currently 20,290 pensions (including dependant members) in payment which the team process on a monthly basis.

Employer Liaison Team

The Employer Liaison Team deal with enquiries from the Scheme employers. The team deals with the Fund’s year-end procedures and supports the Benefit Administration Team with data quality. The Fund’s 259 active employers include scheduled bodies (major and smaller), admitted bodies and LEA schools and academies in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. The team deal with the admission of new employers, academy conversions and bulk transfers.

Systems

The Systems Team is responsible for the specialist computer systems within the Pensions and Investments Team, including the management of Altair (our pensions administration system), document imaging, pensioner payroll, and workflow management. The team are also responsible for the roll-out and maintenance of our ‘my pension online’ member portal and the i-Connect data exchange system used by Scheme employers.

Treasury Team

The Treasury Team is responsible for implementing the Fund’s investment strategy, reviewing and monitoring the Pension Fund’s investments and ensuring all monies due to the Fund are received. The team also provide the Council’s treasury function.

Knowledge and Skills Policy Statement

This organisation recognises the importance of ensuring that it has the necessary resources to discharge its pensions administration responsibilities and that all staff and members charged with financial administration, governance and decision-making with regard to the pension scheme, are fully equipped with the knowledge and skills to discharge the duties and responsibilities allocated to them.


It therefore seeks to utilise individuals who are both capable and experienced and it will provide and/or arrange training for staff and members of the pensions decision-making and governance bodies to enable them to acquire and maintain an appropriate level of expertise, knowledge and skills.


Local Government Pension Scheme Benefits The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is a statutory funded pension scheme. It is defined, guaranteed in law and provides significant benefits to its members. The scheme changed from a final salary scheme to a career average revalued earnings scheme on 1 April 2014 and the LGPS 2014 benefits are summarised below.

Feature LGPS 2014 Basis of Pension Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) Accrual Rate 1/49th (or 1/98th in the 50/50 scheme) Revaluation Rate Consumer Prices Index (CPI) Pensionable Pay Pay including non-contractual overtime and additional hours Contribution Flexibility 50/50 section allows members to pay 50% of their usual contributions

for 50% of the usual pension benefits Normal Pension Age Equal to the individual member's State Pension Age (minimum age 65) Lump Sum Commutation £1 of annual pension provides £12 lump sum Death in Service Lump Sum

3 x Pensionable Pay

Death in Service Survivor Benefits

1/160th accrual based on Tier 1 ill health pension enhancement

Ill Health Provision Tier 1 - Immediate payment with service enhanced to Normal Pension Age Tier 2 - Immediate payment with 25% service enhancement to Normal Pension Age Tier 3 - Temporary payment of pension for up to 3 years

Indexation of Pension in Payment

CPI

Vesting Period 2 years

Contributions

Employee contributions are based on their actual pensionable pay. Since 1 April 2014 pensionable pay includes all overtime, both contractual and non-contractual. The pay bands shown applied for the Scheme year ended 31 March 2020. Pay bands are adjusted on 1 April each year in line with any increase in the Consumer Price Index.

Band Pay Bands (Actual pensionable pay)

Contribution Rate Main Section

Contribution Rate 50/50 Section

1 Up to £14,400 5.5% 2.75%

2 £14,401 to £22,500 5.8% 2.95%

3 £22,501 to £36,500 6.5% 3.25%

4 £36,501 to £46,200 6.8% 3.4%

5 £46,201 to £64,600 8.5% 4.25%

6 £64,601 to £91,500 9.9% 4.95%

7 £91,501 to £107,700 10.5% 5.25%

8 £107,701 to £161,500 11.4% 5.7%

9 £161,501 or more 12.5% 6.25%


The Employer also contributes to the Fund, covering the full cost of providing benefits. Membership of the scheme entitles the employee to receive tax relief on contributions.

Retirement

The Scheme is funded on the basis that benefits will become payable at the member’s State Pension Age (minimum age 65). Members can voluntarily retire from age 55 or remain in the scheme until age 75.

Pension built up before 1 April 2014 has a protected Normal Pension Age, which for almost all members is age 65. If a member retires and draws their entire pension at their protected Normal Pension Age, the pension built up in the scheme before 1 April 2014 will be paid in full.

If a member chooses to take their pension before their protected Normal Pension Age, the pension built up in the scheme before 1 April 2014 will normally be reduced, as it is being paid earlier. If taken later than their protected Normal Pension Age, it will be increased because it is being paid later.

The amount of any reduction or increase will be based on how many years earlier or later than the protected Normal Pension Age the member draws the pension they have built up in the scheme to 31 March 2014.

The benefits built up in the career average scheme from April 2014 have a Normal Pension Age linked to a member’s State Pension Age (with a minimum age of 65). The amount of any reduction or increase will be based on how many years earlier or later than their State Pension Age they draw their LGPS 2014 pension.

Members cannot take benefits built up to April 2014 separately from the benefits built up from April 2014. All of the pension would have to be drawn at the same time (except in the case of Flexible Retirement).

Calculation of benefits for Scheme Members

Membership in the final salary scheme (before 1 April 2014) is calculated differently to membership in the CARE scheme.

Final salary pension benefits built up before 31 March 2008, are calculated as:

Membership (years and days) x Final salary x 1/80 = Pension

Final salary pension benefits built up between 1 April 2008 – 31 March 2014, are calculated as:

Membership (years and days) x Final salary x 1/60 = Pension

Benefits after 1 April 2014 in the Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) scheme are calculated as:

Year 1: Pensionable pay x 1/49 x revaluation % = total pension balance

Year 2: Pensionable pay x 1/49 + previous year’s balance x revaluation % = total pension balance

Year 3: pensionable pay x 1/49 + previous year’s balance x revaluation % = total pension balance

Lump sum

Members who were in the scheme before 1 April 2008 will have an automatic lump sum attached to their pension. This is calculated as: Membership (years and days) x Final salary x 1/80 x 3 = Lump Sum


All members have the option to take up to 25% of their total pension pot as a lump sum. This is done by exchanging annual pension for lump sum. For every £1 given up, the member will receive £12 in lump sum.

Ill Health Retirement

If a member’s employment is terminated because of ill health and the member has at least 2 years membership, the pension payable is based on the member’s accrued membership. Ill health retirement operates on a three-tier system with varying enhancements depending on the possibility of the member being able to return to work.

Third tier – This tier is awarded where a member is likely to be able to obtain gainful employment within three years of leaving. There is no enhancement. It is paid without reductions at the value it has accrued at the retirement date.

Second tier - This tier is awarded when a member is unlikely to be capable of gainful employment within 3 years of leaving but are likely to be capable of undertaking such employment before Normal Pension Age. Ill health benefits are based on the pension built up at the date of leaving, plus 25% of the pension they would have built up had they continued to contribute to the main section of the scheme until Normal Pension Age.

First tier – This tier is awarded if the member is unlikely to be capable of gainful employment before their Normal Pension Age. Ill health benefits are based on the pension already built up in the member’s pension account at the date of leaving the scheme plus the pension the member would have built up had they continued to contribute to the main section of the scheme until Normal Pension Age.

Death in Service

The death in service lump sum death grant is 3 x the member’s actual pensionable pay, regardless of length of membership. In addition to the lump sum death grant, pensions are payable to an eligible surviving spouse/civil partner or cohabiting partner and eligible children up to the age of 18, or while still in full time education, up to age 23. The member may nominate who they wish to receive their death grant.

Death in Retirement

If a member dies while the pension is in payment, there is no automatic death grant. However, the member is guaranteed to receive ten years of pension before age 75. This means that if the member dies within ten years of their retirement date and they are under age 75, any remaining balance will be paid to the member’s beneficiary. Dependent’s pensions continue to be payable to eligible parties.


Risk Management

Risk Management Report The Fund’s statutory documentation and accounts contain the required sections detailing the Fund’s approach to the various types of risks it faces across its operations, together with how the Fund looks to mitigate each of these. In particular:

• The Governance Compliance Statement reviews the risk areas and mitigation approach within the Fund’s management and governance structure;

• The Investment Strategy Statement covers risk measurement and management in an investment sense;

• The Funding Strategy Statement includes a section, prepared in conjunction with the Fund’s actuary, on the identification of risks and countermeasures in relation to the Fund’s funding position and investment strategy; and

• The Pension Fund accounts contain a detailed section on the nature and extent of the risks arising from Financial Instruments, including detailed sensitivity analysis of the potential monetary impact to the Fund of the varying financial risks.

The Pension Fund Risk Register in the following table is reviewed by the Pension Fund Committee twice a year. It details the risks and risk mitigation measures in place:

Key to the risk/impact

In accordance with the Council’s risk management framework, scores between 0 and 5 are attributed to the impact of the risk. The impact areas are service/performance, reputation/political, financial, data protection/technological, legislation/regulatory and health and safety. Scores between 0 and 6 are attributed to the likelihood of the risk from extremely unlikely (1) to extremely likely (6). The scores for each risk are combined and assigned red, amber or green in the heat map in accordance with the table below.

Matrix and Heat Map- Scoring detail and colour scale


Pensions and Investments Team- Administration risk register


Pensions & Investments Team – BC Pension Fund risk register


Internal Audit Testing The 2019/2020 internal audit of the Pension Fund commenced on 8 March 2020 but was paused as internal audit resource was reallocated to support Buckinghamshire Council’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.


Financial Performance Overview Table 1: Three year forecast of income and expenditure

Fund Account 2019 /2020 Forecast

£000

2019 /2020 Actual £000

2020 /2021 Forecast

£000

2021 /2022 Forecast

£000

2022 /2023 Forecast

£000 Contributions 137,700 116,621 118,953 121,332 123,759 Transfers in 11,500 12,403 12,500 12,500 12,500 Total Income 149,200 129,024 131,453 133,832 136,259 Benefits payable (115,825) (119,020) (118,721) (121,689) (124,657) Transfers out (11,500) (10,189) (10,500) (10,500) (10,500) Total Benefits (127,325) (129,209) (129,221) (132,189) (135,157) Surplus of Contributions over Benefits

21,875 (185) 2,232 1,643 1,102

Management Expenses (16,481) (16,474) (16,721) (16,972) (17,227) Total Income less Expenditure 5,394 (16,659) (14,489) (15,328) (16,124) Investment income 43,664 40,527 42,675 44,937 47,318 Taxes on income (378) (351) (370) (389) (410) Other Income 120 152 120 120 120 Change in market value of investments

129,727 (116,993) 120,000 120,000 120,000

Net return on investments 173,133 (76,665) 162,425 164,668 167,029 Net increase/(decrease) in the Fund

178,527 (93,324) 147,937 149,339 150,904

Table 2: Future assumed return

Future assumed returns 2019 Equities 6.70% Gilts 1.70% Bonds 2.60% Absolute Return Fund 5.50% Cash 0.30% Property 6.10%


Table 3: Budget vs Outturn report on the management expenses to the Fund

2018/2019 Forecast

£000

2018/2019 Actual £000

2019/2020 Forecast

£000

2019/2020 Actual £000

Administrative Costs

Staffing costs 1,400 1,366 1,500 1,504 Transport 0 2 2 3 Supplies and Services 650 673 675 561 Support Services 140 144 150 144 Income -6 -8 -8 -9 Subtotal 1,400 1,366 1,500 1,504

Investment Management Expenses

Supplies and Services 14,500 13,501 13,704 13,538 Subtotal 14,500 13,501 13,704 13,538

Oversight and governance costs

Staffing costs 180 187 220 242 Transport 2 2 2 2 Supplies and Services 350 354 450 473 Support Services 20 16 20 16 Subtotal 180 187 220 242 Total 17,236 16,237 16,371 16,474

Table 4: Net asset statement

Net Asset Statement 2019 /2020 Forecast

£000

2019 /2020 Actual £000

Equities 617,306 37,689 Gilts - 8,239 Bonds 442,834 413,475 Property 226,883 213,484 Pooled investment vehicles 1,788,918 2,160,297 Cash and Other 100,244 69,729 Net investment assets 3,176,186 2,902,913


Table 5: Movement in Assets and Liabilities

Movement in Assets & Liabilities 2019 /2020 Forecast

2019 /2020 Actual

Surplus of Contributions over Benefits 21,875 (185) Management Expenses (16,481) (16,474) Returns on Investments 173,133 (76,665) Net increase in the net assets available for benefits during the year 178,527 (93,324)

Five-year analysis of pension overpayments, recoveries and any amounts written off

Year Payments received for overpayments made £000

Total money recovered from monthly pension payments £000

Total Overpayments recovered £000

Total Overpayments written off £000

Total Overpayments £000

2015/2016 75 10 85 4 89 2016/2017 59 142 201 9 210 2017/2018 36 165 201 7 208 2018/2019 236 17 253 8 261 2019/2020 36 20 56 6 62

Employee Contributions Employee contributions are based on their actual pensionable pay. Since 1 April 2014 pensionable pay includes all overtime, both contractual and non-contractual. The pay bands shown below applied for the Scheme year ended 31 March 2020. Pay bands are adjusted on 1 April each year in line with any increase in the Consumer Price Index.

Band Pay Bands: actual pensionable pay Contribution Rate Main Scheme

Contribution Rate 50/50 Scheme

1 Up to £14,400 5.5% 2.75%

2 £14,401 to £22,500 5.8% 2.9%

3 £22,501 to £36,500 6.5% 3.25%

4 £36,501 to £46,200 6.8% 3.4%

5 £46,201 to £64,600 8.5% 4.25%

6 £64,601 to £91,500 9.9% 4.95%

7 £91,501 to £107,700 10.5% 5.25%

8 £107,701 to £161,500 11.4% 5.7%

9 £161,501 or more 12.5% 6.25%

Total value of Employee contributions received 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020 (£000): £32,034


An analysis of amounts due to the Fund from Employers Total value of Employer contributions received 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020 (£000): £84,587

Table 1: Analysis of the timeliness of receipt of contributions.

2015/2016 2016/2017 2017/2018 2018/2019 2019/2020 Number of payments received 2388 2508 2704 2757 3039 Number of payments late 74 136 192 115 145 Percentage of payments received late

3.10% 5.42% 7.1% 4.17% 4.77%

Percentage of payments received on time

96.90% 94.58% 92.9% 95.83% 95.23%

Table 2: Age of overdue contributions 2019/2020

In 2019/2020 the Fund did not exercise the option to levy interest on overdue contributions.

Length of overdue payments Number 1-2 days late 41 3-10 days late 46 11-30 days late 32 1-2 months late 13 3-6 months late 8 6+ months 4 Total 144


Average Employer and Employee contributions received 1 April 2019 - 31 March 2020 Employer Employer’s contribution Average employee’s

contribution Abbey View Primary Academy 22.8% 5.5% Acorn Childcare 17.0% 5.7% Action for Children 14.5% 6.3% Action for Children (Children’s Centres) 20.8% 6.4% Adventure Learning Foundation (BC) 23.9% 6.5% Alfriston School 22.8% 6.2% Alliance in Partnership (Buckingham Park) 12.4% 5.5% Ambassador Theatre Group 20.0% 6.5% Amersham School 22.8% 5.9% Amersham Town Council 23.5% 6.3% Ashbrook School 20.0% 5.8% Ashridge Security Management Ltd 23.0% 5.8% Aspens Services Ltd 27.7% 5.4% Aspire Schools 22.8% 6.5% Aston Clinton Parish Council 25.1% 6.5% Aylesbury College 21.7% 6.2% Aylesbury Grammar School 22.8% 6.3% Aylesbury High School 22.8% 6.1% Aylesbury Town Council 22.3% 6.6% Aylesbury Vale Academy 22.8% 5.9% Aylesbury Vale District Council 14.4% 7.0% Beacon Housing Association 0% 0% Beaconsfield High School 22.8% 6.1% Beaconsfield School, The 22.8% 6.2% Beaconsfield Town Council 19.3% 6.3% Bearbrook School 22.8% 5.7% Bedgrove Infant School 23.5% 5.6% Bedgrove Junior School (Academy) 22.8% 5.8% Beechview Academy 22.8% 5.8% Bletchley & Fenny Stratford TC 25.1% 7.2% Bourne End Academy 22.8% 5.9% Bourton Meadow Academy 22.8% 5.8% Bradwell Parish Council 19.3% 5.6% Bridge Academy 20.0% 6.1% Brill CofE School 22.8% 5.5% Brookmead Combined School 24.0% 5.8% Brooksward School 20.2% 4.5% Broughton & Milton Keynes Parish Council 19.3% 6.4% Brushwood Junior School 22.5% 5.8% Buckingham Town Council 25.1% 5.5% Buckinghamshire Council 26.4% 6.5% Buckinghamshire Music Trust 15.4% 6.9% Buckinghamshire UTC 16.4% 6.4% Bucks County Museum Trust 19.9% 6.3% Bucks MK Fire Authority 15.5% 7.0% Bucks New University 21.7% 6.9%


Bucks Strictly Education 26.4% 6.0% Burnham Grammar School 22.8% 6.2% Burnham Parish Council 25.1% 6.5% Busy Bee Cleaning Services Ltd (WDC) 28.7% 5.5% Campbell Park Parish Council 25.1% 6.6% Capita (WDC) 21.0% 6.9% Castlefield School 27.5% 6.0% Caterlink Ltd (Buckingham Primary Sc) 26.2% 5.6% Caterlink Ltd (Chiltern Hills Academy) 19.7% 5.5% Chalfont St Giles Parish Council 25.1% 6.5% Chalfont St Peter CofE Academy 22.8% 5.8% Chalfont St Peter Parish Council 25.1% 6.5% Chalfont Valley E-ACT Primary Academy 22.8% 5.8% Chalfonts Community College 22.8% 6.3% Charles Warren Academy 20.0% 5.7% Chartwells Ltd (Oakgrove School) 20.2% 6.3% Chepping View Primary Academy 22.8% 5.9% Chepping Wycombe Parish Council 25.1% 6.1% Chesham Bois CofE Combined School 22.8% 5.8% Chesham Bois Parish Council 22.9% 5.8% Chesham Grammar School 22.8% 6.3% Chesham Town Council 25.1% 6.0% Chestnuts Academy 20.0% 5.9% Chiltern District Council 15.5% 6.9% Chiltern Hills Academy 22.8% 6.0% Chiltern Rangers CIC 17.7% 6.9% Chiltern Way Academy 22.8% 6.3% Chilterns Conservation Board 14.7% 7.1% Christ the Sower Ecumenical Primary School 20.0% 5.8% Cleantec Services 26.1% 5.5% Cleantec Services (Oakgrove) 27.0% 5.3% Coldharbour Parish Council 19.3% 6.6% Connexions (Adviza) 15.1% 5.8% Cottesloe School 22.3% 5.9% C-Salt (Woughton Leisure Centre) 18.2% 5.9% Cucina Restaurants Ltd (Denbigh Sch) 23.5% 1.2% Cucina Restaurants Ltd (Walton High) 24.8% 5.5% Danesfield School 20.8% 5.7% Denbigh School 20.0% 6.0% Denham Green E-ACT Primary Academy 22.8% 5.6% Derwent Facilities Management Ltd 30.5% 6.0% Dorney School 22.8% 5.7% Dr Challoner's Grammar School 22.8% 6.2% Dr Challoner's High School 22.8% 6.0% E-ACT Burnham Park Academy 22.8% 6.2% Eaton Mill Nursery 19.7% 7.0% Elmhurst School 22.8% 5.8% EMLC Academy Trust 20.0% 7.6% Excelcare 30.0% 6.3%


Fairfields Primary School 20.0% 5.6% Fremantle Trust, The 170.5% 6.6% Fujitsu (TVP) 19.9% 6.5% George Grenville Academy 22.8% 5.7% Gerrards Cross CE School 22.8% 5.5% Gerrards Cross Town Council 25.1% 6.9% Glastonbury Thorn First School 18.9% 4.6% Great Horwood CofE Combined School 22.8% 5.6% Great Kimble CofE School 22.8% 5.5% Great Kingshill CofE Combined School 22.8% 5.7% Great Marlow School 22.8% 6.2% Great Missenden CoE Combined School 22.8% 5.6% Great Missenden Parish Council 20.7% 6.2% Green Park School 18.5% 4.5% Green Ridge Academy 22.8% 5.8% Greenleys Junior School 20.0% 5.9% Hambleden Parish Council 25.1% 5.7% Hamilton Academy 22.8% N/A Hanslope Parish Council 19.3% 5.8% Hayward Services (Downley School) 5.5% 5.5% Hayward Services (John Colet School) 28.1% 5.5% Hazeley Academy 20.0% 5.8% Hazlemere Parish Council 24.5% 6.5% Heritage Care 27.3% 6.0% Heronsgate School 20.0% 5.8% Heronshaw School 20.0% 5.7% Highcrest Academy 22.8% 6.3% Hightown Housing Association 44.4% 6.5% Holmer Green Senior School 22.8% 6.2% Holmwood School 20.0% 5.7% Ickford Learning Trust - Ickford School 22.8% 5.6% Innovate Ltd 16.6% 6.5% Inspiring Futures Through Learning (MAT) 20.0% 7.1% Iver Parish Council 25.1% 6.2% Ivinghoe Parish Council 19.3% 5.5% Ivingswood Academy 22.8% 5.6% John Colet School 22.8% 6.0% John Hampden Grammar School 22.8% 6.0% Jubilee Wood Primary School 20.0% 5.8% Kents Hill Park School 20.0% 6.0% Kents Hill School 20.0% 5.7% Khalsa Secondary Academy 22.8% 8.9% Kids Play Childcare 17.8% 6.5% Kingsbridge Educational Trust (MAT staff) 20.0% 7.7% Kents Hill School 20.0% 5.7% Khalsa Secondary Academy 22.8% 8.9% Knowles Primary School 20.0% 5.7% Lace Hill Academy 22.8% 5.8% Lane End Parish Council 24.8% 6.5%


Lent Rise Combined School 22.8% 5.7% Little Marlow Parish Council 25.1% 5.8% Longwick CofE Combined School 22.8% 5.7% Lord Grey Academy 20.0% 6.0% Loudwater Combined School 24.3% 5.6% Loughton & Great Holm Parish Council 25.1% 6.5% Loughton School 20.0% 5.7% Manpower Direct Ltd 0.0% 0.0% Marlow Town Council 25.1% 6.4% Mears Group plc 20.0% 6.9% Mentmore Parish Council 19.3% 5.5% Mercury Infrastructure Services Ltd 24.4% 4.4% Middleton Primary School 20.0% 5.8% Milton Keynes - Strictly Education 19.7% 5.8% Milton Keynes Academy 20.0% 6.3% Milton Keynes College 16.8% 6.4% Milton Keynes Council 19.7% 6.8% Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP) 13.5% 9.5% Milton Keynes Schools 19.7% 5.8% Misbourne School, The 22.8% 6.1% Monkston Primary Academy 20.0% 5.8% Moorland Primary 20.0% 5.7% National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER)

0.0% 0.0%

New Bradwell Parish Council 19.3% 5.7% New Bradwell School (Academy) 20.0% 6.2% New Chapter School 20.0% 5.9% Newport Pagnell Town Council 25.1% 7.9% Newton Longville Parish Council 19.3% 6.1% NSL Wycombe 0.0% N/A Nurture Landscapes (MKC) 24.6% 6.5% Oakgrove School 20.0% 5.9% Olney Infant Academy 20.0% 5.6% Olney Middle School (Academy) 20.0% 5.8% Olney Town Council 24.4% 6.4% Orchard Academy 20.0% 5.9% Penn Parish Council 19.3% 5.8% Piddington and Wheeler End Parish Council 25.1% 5.5% Places for People Leisure (Newp TC) 23.1% 5.5% Places for People Leisure (WDC) 21.2% 5.8% Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley 14.8% 7.2% Police Superintendents' Association 14.8% 6.8% Portfields Combined School 18.1% 4.5% Premier Academy, The 20.0% 6.2% Princes Risborough Primary School 22.8% 5.6% Princes Risborough School 22.8% 6.0% Princes Risborough Town Council 24.2% 6.3% Radcliffe School 20.2% 6.3% Red Kite Community Housing 23.5% 6.7%


Rickley Park Primary School 20.0% 5.8% Ridge Crest Cleaning Ltd (Shenley Brook End School) 21.8% 5.5% Ridge Crest Cleaning Ltd (Walton High) 26.4% 5.6% Ringway Infrastructure Services Limited (MK) 22.0% 6.8% Ringway Jacobs (Bucks) 20.0% 7.1% RM Education 17.5% 6.8% Royal Grammar School 22.8% 6.3% Royal Latin School 22.8% 5.9% Seer Green CE Combined School 22.8% 5.6% SERCO (MKC Recreation & Maintenance) 17.7% 6.2% SERCO MKC 17.7% 6.5% Shenley Brook End & Tattenhoe Parish Council 24.0% 6.7% Shenley Brook End School 20.0% 5.8% Shenley Church End Parish Council 25.1% 6.2% Shepherdswell Academy 20.0% 5.7% Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School 22.8% 6.3% Sir Herbert Leon Academy 20.0% 6.1% Sir Thomas Fremantle Secondary School 22.8% 6.0% Sir William Borlase's Grammar School 22.8% 6.1% Sir William Ramsay School 22.8% 6.0% South Bucks District Council 15.5% 7.0% Southwood Middle School 17.7% 4.6% Sports Leisure Management (SLM) 27.0% 5.8% Spurgeons (CEASED 30.06.2019) 22.3% 6.8% St John’s CE Combined School 22.8% 5.4% St Nicolas’ CE Combined School Taplow 22.8% 5.7% St Paul’s Catholic School 19.4% 6.1% Stanton School 17.9% 4.6% Stantonbury Campus 20.0% 6.2% Stantonbury Parish Council 25.1% 6.0% Stephenson Academy 20.0% 6.2% Stony Stratford Town Council 23.2% 6.4% Taplow Parish Council 19.3% 5.8% Thames Valley Police 15.1% 6.6% Thomas Harding Junior School 22.8% 5.5% Two Mile Ash School 20.0% 5.9% Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust 21.8% 7.5% Waddesdon C of E School 22.8% 6.0% Waddesdon Parish Council 19.3% 5.8% Walton High 20.0% 6.4% Water Hall Primary School 20.0% 5.9% Waterside Combined School 22.8% 4.9% Wendover Parish Council 25.1% 6.5% West Bletchley Council 24.2% 6.9% West Wycombe Parish Council 25.1% 5.5% Weston Turville Parish Council 19.3% 5.4% Whitehouse Primary School 20.0% 5.9% Winslow Town Council 25.1% 6.2% Woburn Sands Town Council 25.1% 6.5%


Wolverton and Greenleys Town Council 24.5% 6.0% Wolverton and Watling Way Pools Trust 12.0% 8.5% Wooburn and Bourne End Parish Council 25.1% 6.5% Wooburn Green Primary School (The Meadows School)

22.8% 5.7%

Woodside Junior School 22.8% 5.7% Woughton Community Council 20.6% 6.5% Wycombe District Council 15.7% 7.1% Wycombe Heritage & Arts Trust 14.8% 6.6% Wycombe High School 22.8% 6.5%


Investment Policy and Performance Report The planned asset allocation and actual asset allocation at the beginning and end of the 2019/2020 financial year are shown in the table below.

A strategic review of asset allocation, in February 2020, showed that the overall risk factor (standard deviation) for the Fund is 12/8%. The next strategic review of asset allocation is due in 2022 following the outcome of the triennial valuation. Interim strategy reviews can be taken if required.

Table 1: Asset Allocation 2019/2020

Planned %

31 March 2019

Actual %

31 March 2019

Planned %

31 March 2020

Actual %

31 March 2020

Overseas Equities 49 49 49 47

Bonds 25 27 25 28

Alternatives 18 15 18 15

Property 8 7 8 8

Cash 0 2 0 2

Total 100 100 100 100

The Fund’s Investment Strategy Statement sets out the principles that will guide the Committee when making decisions about the investment of the Fund’s assets.

Investment Administration

The Fund’s assets are managed by external fund managers. The Fund’s equities and bonds within segregated mandates are held by our global custodian, State Street. The Funding plan adopted in assessing the contributions for each individual employer is in accordance with the Funding Strategy Statement (FSS).

In the year to 31 March 2020 the annual return was -3.6% compared to its benchmark return of -2.8%, an underperformance of 0.8%. La Salle outperformed for the year to 31 March. Blackrock, Blackstone and Royal London underperformed. Legal & General’s performance in accordance with its passive mandate matched the benchmark. During the year, 14% of global equity investments were transitioned to Brunel’s global high alpha developed equity portfolio. 4% was transitioned from passive emerging market equity to Brunel’s active emerging market equity. A further 4% of the Fund’s assets, previously held in UK equities, were transitioned to Brunel’s low volatility equity portfolio.

In the three years to 31 March, the Fund achieved a return of 1.8%, an annual underperformance of 0.4% compared to its 2.2% benchmark for that period. Over the three years Blackrock and RLAM have outperformed their benchmarks.

Legal & General, in accordance with their passive tracker mandate matched the benchmark. La Salle also matched their benchmark. Blackstone underperformed their benchmark for the three-year period.


Table 2: Investments’ Annual and Three-Year Performance

Annual Performance Three-Year Performance

Assets Category Opening Value £m

Closing Value £m

Net Performance %

Bench mark %

Net Relative Return %

Net Performance %

Bench mark %

Net Relative Return %

Asset Pool Managed Investments

Emerging Market Equity 123 - - - - - - Low Volatility Global Equity

111 - - - - - -

Global High Alpha Equity 402 - - - - - - Active Listed Equity 0 636 Passive Listed Equity 767 726 -5.4 -5.4 0.0 - - - Unlisted Equity 6 11 - - - - - - Infrastructure 2 14 - - - - - - Total Asset Pool 775 1,387 Non-Asset Pool Managed Investments

Aberdeen Standard – UK Equity High Alpha

122 0 - - - - - -

Investec – Active Listed Global Equity

259 0 - - - - - -

Schroders – Active Listed Global Equity

220 0 - - - - - -

RLAM – Core Plus Active Bonds

465 470 1.1 1.7 -0.6 2.6 2.2 0.4

LGIM – Passive Equities 88 0 - - - - - - LGIM – Passive Listed Corporate Bonds

130 132 1.2 1.2 0.0 - - -

LGIM – Passive Listed Index-Linked Bonds

226 231 2.2 2.2 0.0 - - -

La Salle - Property Multimanager

221 223 0.9 0.0 0.9 4.8 4.8 0.0

Pantheon - Unlisted Equity

119 107 - - - - - -

Partners - Unlisted Equity 25 21 - - - - - - Cash 54 49 - - - - - - Blackrock – Dynamic Diversified Growth Fund

139 135 -2.7 0.8 -3.5 1.4 0.7 0.7

Blackstone – Offshore Sterling Hedge Fund

156 147 -6.0 0.8

-6.8

-0.1 0.7

-0.8

Total Non-Asset Pool 2,224 1,515 Total Fund 2,999 2,902 -3.6 -2.8 -0.8 1.8 2.2 -0.4

The performance of the Fund’s private equity investments has been excluded from the combined performance monitoring summary. This is common practice for many LGPS Funds due to the problematic nature of calculating private equity returns on a quarter-by-quarter basis, the issue of which reference benchmark to put in place and the valuations are quarterly in arrears and adjusted for cash contributions/ distributions made during the quarter. Due to the long-term nature of these investments, where there is underperformance the Committee would not be able to terminate the contracts with these managers if


they were to underperform. The Committee are monitoring the portfolio based on the investment manager reports for Pantheon and Partners Group. The table below shows the Fund’s investment performance over historical periods to 31 March 2020 compared to the Fund’s investment benchmark. Table 3: Investment Performance

1 year % 3 years % 5 years % Buckinghamshire Pension Fund -3.6 1.8 4.7 Strategic Benchmark -2.8 2.2 4.9 Relative -0.8 -0.4 -0.2

Table 4: Ongoing Investment Management Costs

To follow


Scheme Administration

How the Service is Delivered Buckinghamshire Council’s Pensions and Investments Team administer the Local Government Pension Scheme on Behalf of the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund. This includes pensioner administration and running its own in-house pensioner payroll. Our contact details are given at the end of the report. Arrangements for gathering assurance of effective and efficient administration operations

• The Pensions and Investments Team report on year-end administration performance and complaints under the Internal Disputes Resolution Procedure to the Buckinghamshire Pension Board.

• The team are internally audited on an annual basis. The internal audit reports include an action tracker which details outstanding issues.

• Updates to outstanding BPF internal audit actions are reviewed at the Council’s Regulatory and Audit Committee meetings. The Regulatory and Audit Committee consists of eight elected members who meet to consider matters relating to the Council’s constitution, accounts, risk management and governance arrangements.

Key areas of Technology

Altair - The Fund’s records and administration system are computerised. Altair enables us to store our members’ paperwork electronically by scanning all correspondence to the individual’s record. All work is recorded and monitored on our workflow system from which performance monitoring statistics are produced. My Pension Online - Our member self-service facility; ‘my pension online’, allows scheme members to access their pension records via a secure web portal at https://ms.buckinghamshire.gov.uk. ‘my pension online’ allows users to update their address details, produce pension quotes, submit documents and access their annual benefit statements and other fund documentation. By default, all members have an online pension account, but registration is not automatic due to the need to set up a secure username and password. Members can choose to opt out of having an online account. If registered, all documentation is published to their account including Annual Benefit Statements and retirement forms. The member receives a notification email advising them when a new document has been published. As at 31 March 2020 a total of 27.41% of all active, deferred and pensioner members had registered for ‘my pension online’. The table below shows the distribution of registration against the total membership of these categories for 2019/2020. The Fund’s aim is to continue to increase membership of ‘my pension online’ in order to provide a more efficient service to members and achieve further digital efficiency of administrative processes. Please note: The figures do not include frozen refunds, undecided leavers and dependents records.

Total membership Total registered Percentage of total membership registered (rounded to 00%)

Actives 24,489 8,292 33.86% Deferred 29,936 6,317 21.10% Pensioners 17,920 5,223 29.15% Total 72,345 19,832 27.41% (average total)

https://ms.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/


i-Connect - i-Connect is a real-time monthly reporting solution for employers, that streamlines data transfer to the Fund by reducing the cost and risks associated with manually processing pension data. i-Connect assists employers in their statutory duties by reducing the risk of data protection breaches, helping to identify data mismatches early, improving the reliability of valuations, reducing cost and complexity in scheme data submissions and ensuring they meet their duties in supplying data according to auto-enrolment requirements. By 31 March 2020, a total of 82 employers had been onboarded to i-Connect. Key information sources for members

• The Fund maintains its own website which is available to scheme members, Scheme employers, prospective members and all other stakeholders. The Fund’s website address is: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/your-council/local-government-pension-scheme/

• The website content is comprehensive and includes links to the national LGPS member website at www.lgpsmember.org. Our website address is provided on all our communication material.

• Scheme members and employers can contact our team by telephone, email or via a form on their ‘my pension online’ account. Our Pensions Helpline is staffed 9am to 5:30pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 5pm on Fridays. Employers are provided with the contact details of their dedicated Employer Liaison Officer or can contact the Employer Liaison Team mailbox by emailing [email protected]. The national LGPS Regulations and Guidance website at www.lgpsregs.org also provides guidance for scheme members, employers and administrators.

• Scheme members are provided with a link to the Fund’s LGPS documentation, which is inserted into all contracts of employment by their employer. The link is www.buckscc.gov.uk/lgpsguidesandforms.

• Scheme members can make an appointment with a Pensions Officer at one of our fortnightly member surgeries. These are held at our Walton Street offices in Aylesbury on a pre-booked appointment basis.

Arrangements for ensuring accuracy:

• System checks and testing procedures are undertaken by the Systems Team. • Checking procedures within the Benefit Administration Team ensure calculations are accurate

before being provided to Scheme members. • Year-end data cleansing and data validation is undertaken monthly/annually by the Employer

Liaison Team. • Financial reconciliation data checks take place on a monthly and annual basis by the Treasury Team.

Arrangements for ensuring data protection and confidentiality:

• The Fund’s summary and full privacy notices, as well as our memorandum of understanding are available from: https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/local-government-pension-scheme/general-data-protection-regulation/

• Callers to our Pensions Helpline are asked a number of security questions before we share data with them.

• Due to the corporate use of strong end-to-end encryption and anti-spoofing technology, Buckinghamshire Council have passed the government’s whitelist assessment. We can securely email any other organisation on the government whitelist, as well as those with an email address ending ‘gov.uk’ as end-to-end encryption ensures the message is secure in transit.

• For those organisations not on the whitelist, or do not have a ‘gov.uk’ email, we are able to send and receive emails containing personal data securely via the Egress Switch encrypted email service.

http://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/your-council/local-government-pension-scheme/

http://www.lgpsmember.org/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.lgpsregs.org/

http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/lgpsguidesandforms

https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/local-government-pension-scheme/general-data-protection-regulation/

https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/local-government-pension-scheme/general-data-protection-regulation/


Under the terms of our licence, once registered, employers and Scheme members are able to correspond with us, or any other person holding a full Egress Switch licence, without charge.

• If employers are not able to use Egress Switch, they are required to password protect all correspondence containing personal data.

• All member correspondence which includes sensitive data is sent via Egress, and where they have a ‘my pension online’ account, it is published there, and the member must login to access the document.

• If a deferred or pensioner member wishes to change their address following a period where contact details are not held, we request date of birth verification and a proof of address document.

The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS)

TPAS provides independent and impartial information about pensions, free of charge, to members of the public. TPAS is available to assist members and beneficiaries of the Scheme with any pension query they have or any general requests for information or guidance concerning their pension benefits. TPAS can be contacted:

In writing: Money and Pension Services, 120 Holborn, London, EC1N 2TD By telephone: 0800 011 3797 Website: www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk

The Pensions Ombudsman (TPO)

TPO deals only with pension complaints. It can help if members have a complaint or dispute about the administration and/or management of personal and occupational pension schemes. TPO can be contacted:

In writing: 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, E14 4PU By telephone: 0800 917 4487 Website: www.pensions-ombudsman.org.uk

http://www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/

http://www.pensions-ombudsman.org.uk/


Value for money statement The Fund’s total membership increased from 77,678 in 2018/2019 to 80,774 in 2019/2020, an increase of 3.99%. The total cost per member decreased from £28.03 in 2018/2019 to £27.18 in 2019/2020, a decrease of 3.03% per member. On 1 April 2019, there were 3,485 administration workflow cases open. During 2019/2020, a further 36,929 administration cases were received. In total, 34,933 cases were completed throughout the year, with 5,481 cases outstanding as at 31 March 2020. Our corporate Key Performance Indicator is to complete 90% of daily workflow procedures for high priority areas. These include retirements, deaths, refunds and annual allowance calculations. For each quarter in 2019/2020 the following completion rates were achieved:

Quarter 1 96% Quarter 2 98% Quarter 3 94% Quarter 4 98%

Summary of Key Projects Undertaken by Administration Team 2019/2020 In 2019/2020 the pension administration team undertook the following projects: Restructure – a review of the Pensions & Investment Team took place during 2018/2019, the results of which were implemented in April 2019. The review increased the full-time equivalent staffing headcount by 5.7 across the Team as a whole. The administration sub-teams’ allocation was 4.7 of the additional roles created. Employer risk analysis – an in-depth analysis of the Fund’s Scheme employers was undertaken in order to manage and mitigate risk to the Fund. The Fund’s actuary, Barnett Waddingham provided a report using financial and non-financial data from Dun & Bradstreet, identifying guarantees that are in place and combining this with each Scheme employer’s share of the overall deficit. Scheme employers deemed high risk were highlighted and a funding approach agreed. i-Connect - an automated data exchange solution, designed to assist Scheme employers in meeting their obligations under pensions legislation, whilst minimising the effort required from their payroll team. 26 Scheme employers were on-boarded onto the i-Connect system during 2019/2020 with a further 29 Scheme employers testing data files in preparation for on-boarding. GMP reconciliation –the Fund appointed ITM to assist with reconciling Guaranteed Minimum Pension values for which the Fund is liable. In April 2019, 55,892 scheme member records were reconciled. By 31 March 2020, 59,025 scheme member records were reconciled, an increase of 5.6%. Data quality – an annual review was undertaken of the data quality report and a detailed Data Improvement Plan of Action was developed to support the continuous improvement of our TPR common data and scheme specific data scores. The pension administration team worked through areas which required improvement and increased the common data score by 2% to 93% compared to the previous year and increased the scheme specific data score by 9.1% to 95.1% compared to the previous year.


Key Performance Data Table 1: Case completion totals

Process Cases total Total Cases complete

Percentage Fund KPI target (Working days)

Percentage completed within fund KPI target

Retirements (actual) 3416 2862 84% 10 89% Retirement (Estimates) 1556 1500 96% 10 94% Deaths (initial notification) 628 628 100% 1 100% Deaths (actual) 733 657 90% 10 72% Leavers 3328 2380 72% 10 87% Refund (actual) 840 827 98% 10 98% Refund (estimates) 2109 1820 86% 10 96% Divorce (actual)* 7 3 43% 10 43% Divorce (estimates) 208 205 99% 10 98%

Data Notes

The Legal requirement regarding the turnaround for the processing of the above administrative practices is 2 months. ‘Cases total’ includes those outstanding at 31/3/2019 from the preceding year and those set up. ‘Total complete cases’ represents those of the ‘Cases total’ finished between 1/4/2019 - 31/3/2020. *Actual divorce cases commence when a Pension Sharing Order (PSO) is received. However, the PSO cannot be legally carried out by the Administering Authority until a Decree Absolute is issued by the Court which can cause considerable delay. Methodology The figures above are extracted from the pensions administration system (Altair). During the year 2019/2020 there were significant changes made to task workflow practices, and there have also been further changes made to reporting practices on 1 April 2020. Therefore, we are unable to obtain a full suite of reporting against monthly workflow targets. This will be available in the 2020/2021 annual report. Staffing indicators

Table 2: LGPS administrative staff

Staffing (Full Time Equivalent) As at 31 March 2018

As at 31 March 2019

As at 31 March 2020

Benefit Administration 23.2 21 23.6 Employer Liaison 7 7.2 7.6 IT/Systems 3 4 6 Pensioner Payroll 3 3 3 Subtotal 36.2 35.2 40.2 Non-LGPS admin. staff 2.5 2.5 0.9 Temporary agency staff 1 0 0 Total staff (FTE)* 39.7 37.7 41.1


*Part time staff reflected in decimals. Figures recorded for 2018 and 2019 are based on actual number of staff employed in posts rather than posts available. Earlier figures will be revised on table 2 and table 3 according to this new measure in future reports.

Table 3: Staff : fund members ratio (based on total LGPS administration staff)

Membership type As at 31 March 2018 As at 31 March 2019 As at 31 March 2020 Active 1 : 606 1 : 624 1:596 Deferred 1 : 813 1 : 905 1:728 Pensioner 1 : 467 1 : 515 1:494 Total 1: 1886 1 : 2060 1:1818

Table 4: Caseload analysis for 2019/2020

Cases outstanding at beginning of year 3,485 New cases during year 36,929 Cases completed during year 34,933 Cases outstanding at end of year 5,481 Average no. of workflow cases per FTE member of staff 940

Table 5: Satisfaction levels of Employers

We hosted three employer training events in 2019/2020 to which all our employers were invited. The total number of employers that attended training in 2019/2020 was 47. The combined total feedback received from the training events are shown below in percentages rounded to the nearest 0.0%

Relevance of training

Pace of training Presenter’s knowledge

Training material

1-Very Poor 0 0 0 0 2- Poor 0 0 0 0 3-Acceptable 5.3% 23.7% 0 7.9% 4-Good 39.5% 34.2% 26.3% 39.5% 5- Excellent 55.3% 44.8% 73.7% 52.6%

Table 6: Satisfaction level of members

Previous efforts to assess member satisfaction through annual surveys has historically resulted in low participation levels. We recognise this may be because the majority of members may not have experienced a trigger event (transfer/retirement) to bring them into direct contact with our service. Therefore, in order to gather member satisfaction levels, a more targeted approach was employed. A sample of 42 recently retired members were surveyed on certain aspects of the service they received. The results of the survey are shown below. The members were asked to rank their experiences from 1-5 under the scale below:

1- Very poor 2- Slightly poor 3- Neutral 4- Good 5- Excellent NA- Did not apply

Experience NA 1 2 3 4 5 Ease of use of retirement forms 4 6 19 13 Helpfulness of staff* 10 2 6 24 Length of process 1 2 12 27


*Of the 42 members, 32 contacted the team directly about their pension. 72% of those members gave an ‘excellent’ rating for helpfulness.

Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure (IDRP) Report

The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) operates a two-stage dispute procedure under Regulations 72 to 79 of the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013.

Within the first stage of this procedure, the complaint will be considered by a person nominated by the body that took the decision the member wishes to complain against. Each employer is asked to nominate a ‘specified person’ and any complaints against the Scheme employer will be directed to them. Where the complaint is against the administering authority, these complaints will be addressed by the specified person within the administering authority.

If the member is not satisfied with the stage 1 decision, they have not received a decision or an interim letter more than 3 months after the date the initial complaint is lodged, or it is more than 1 month from the date they were informed a decision would be made, they can progress their complaint to stage 2. At this stage, the Administering Authority can take a fresh look at the complaint, which would be undertaken by a person not involved in the first stage decision. Where the stage 1 complaint was against the Scheme employer, the specified person within the Administering Authority or the Fund’s legal advisor will undertake the stage 2 review. Where the stage 1 complaint was against the administering authority, the Fund’s legal advisor is responsible for the review.

If members are still dissatisfied following stage 1 and stage 2, they can take their case to The Pensions Ombudsman within 3 years of the original decision being made.

Table 7: Details of IDRP cases 2019/2020

Area of complaint

Authority Stage and Case description Date of decision

Decision

AVC Admin Authority

Stage 1 - Member appealed decision not to award compensation for financial loss due to delay in payment of AVC fund

Aug-19 Declined

Death Benefits

Admin Authority

Stage 1 - Appeal against the award of a co-habiting partners pension.

Aug-19 Upheld

Retirement Benefits

Admin Authority

Stage 1 - Appeal against not having the option to trivially commute pension benefit

Oct-19 Declined

Ill Health Scheme employer

Stage 1 - Appeal against decision by previous employer to not agree to the release of deferred benefit on grounds of ill health

Dec-19 In progress

Table 8: Exercise of Employer discretions in 2019/2020

Scheme employers participating in the LGPS in England and Wales must formulate, publish and keep under review a statement of policy on all mandatory discretions (or where the discretion is non-mandatory, are recommended to), which they have the power to exercise in relation to members of the CARE Scheme and earlier schemes.

The six specific mandatory discretions stipulated in the LGPS regulations are:


1. Whether to waive upon the voluntary early payment of benefits, any actuarial reduction on compassionate grounds or otherwise

2. Whether, as the 85-year rule does not (other than on flexible retirement) automatically fully apply to members who would otherwise be subject to it and who choose to voluntarily draw their benefits on or after age 55 and before age 60, to switch the 85-year rule back on in full for such members

3. Whether to permit flexible retirement for staff aged 55 or over who, with the agreement of the Scheme employer, reduce their working hours or grade.

4. Whether to waive all, or part of any actuarial reductions for members retiring before Normal Pension Age at full cost to the Scheme employer.

5. Whether, where an active member wishes to purchase extra annual pension of up to £7,194 (figure at 1 April 2019) by making additional pension contributions (APCs), to voluntarily contribute towards the cost of purchasing that extra pension via a shared cost additional pension contribution (SCAPC)

6. Whether, at full cost to the Scheme employer, to grant extra annual pension of up to £7,194 (figure at 1 April 2019) to an active member or within 6 months of leaving to a member whose employment was terminated on the grounds of redundancy or business efficiency

The following table summarises how the above discretions have been exercised for employer consent retirements in 2019/2020. The numbers in boxes correspond to the above discretions.

Employer discretion Number Early retirement with Employer’s consent 0 Flexible retirement 33 Redundancy retirement 90 Contribute to shared cost APC 0 Grant additional pension 0 Waive any actuarial reductions 0

Table 9: Five-year analysis of the Fund’s membership data

Composition of Membership 2015/2016 2016/2017 2017/2018 2018/2019 2019/2020 Active 24,552 22,754 24,042 24,141 24,489 Deferred 24,362 26,699 27,313 28,991 29,936 Pensioner 14,573 15,420 16,297 17,117 17,920 Dependant 2,155 2,146 2,251 2,294 2,370 Frozen Refund status 2,404 2,852 3,381 3,877 4,330 Undecided Leaver 236 1,317 1,593 1,258 1,729 Total 68,282 71,188 74,877 77,678 80,774

Table 10: Five-year analysis of retirement type for new pensioners.

Type of retirement 2015/2016 2016/2017 2017/2018 2018/2019 2019/2020 Early retirement 805 878 910 853 815 Normal retirement 67 81 93 78 187 Late retirement 141 137 152 134 91 Ill health retirement 28 24 24 24 25 Total 1,041 1,120 1,179 1,089 1,118


Table 11: Summary of the number of employers in the Fund as at 31 March 2020

Active Ceased Total Scheduled Body 201 54 255 Admitted Body 58 77 135 Total 259 131 390


Governance Statements The Local Government Pension Scheme (England and Wales) Regulations provide the statutory framework within which LGPS administering authorities are required to publish governance policy and governance compliance statements. The Pension Administration Strategy and Charging Schedule establish levels of performance for both the Administering Authority and Scheme employers, detailing actions to be taken if targets are not met. The following diagram demonstrates the relationship between the statutory requirements of the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund and its associated policies:

The BC Pension Fund Governance Statements and Pension Administration Strategy are available for download at http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/local-government-pension-scheme/policies/

Governance Compliance Statement Introduction This is the governance compliance statement which sets out the Council’s arrangements (in its capacity as Administering Authority of the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund), for discharging its responsibilities in accordance with the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Regulations 2013. Regulation 55 of the LGPS Regulations 2013 requires an Administering Authority to prepare and publish a governance compliance statement. It should cover whether the Administering Authority delegates its functions in relation to the pension fund to a committee, a sub-committee or an officer of the council; and where this is the case, details of:

• the terms, structure and operational procedures of the delegation • the frequency of any committee or sub-committee meetings • whether such a committee or sub-committee includes representatives of Scheme employers or

members, and if so, whether those representatives have voting rights; • the extent to which a delegation, or the absence of a delegation, complies with guidance given by

the Secretary of State and, to the extent that it does not so comply, the reasons for not complying; and

• details of the terms, structure and operational procedures relating to the local pension board.

http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/local-government-pension-scheme/policies/



Pension Fund Committee Governance Arrangements Under the terms of the Council’s Constitution, the functions of the Council as Administering Authority of the Pension Fund are delegated to the Pension Fund Committee and are excluded from the delegation of authority to the Cabinet and other Committees. The Pension Fund Committee consults within their advisory framework and with the Head of Projects & Pensions before making decisions within the scope of their delegated powers. The Committee receives professional advice from an investment consultant and an independent adviser on investment strategy and other investment matters. The Pension Fund Committee are responsible for administering, investing and managing the Fund. The Terms of Reference for the Pension Fund Committee are to agree:

• the overall investment objective for the Fund; • the Fund’s Investment Strategy Statement; • the Fund’s asset allocation policy; • the appointment of firms to provide investment and actuarial advice to the Fund; and, • any other matters relating to the management and investment of the Pension Fund, as requested.

Terms of reference are available on the Council’s website at: https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/4510769/council-constitution.pdf

The Chairman reports annually to the Cabinet and the Council on the discharge of the Committee’s delegated responsibility and the performance of the Fund. The Pension Fund Committee meets five times a year. At four of the meetings the Committee receives a report on the investment performance of the Fund in the quarter, the Fund’s longer-term performance. Its members act in a quasi-trustee capacity and consequently, no substitutions are permitted. The membership of the Pension Fund Committee is:

• Seven elected members from Buckinghamshire Council • One elected member from Milton Keynes Council • One elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) or Deputy PCC member from Thames Valley

Police Functions and Responsibilities The Pension Fund Committee approves the Pension Fund’s Funding Strategy, the Investment Strategy Statement, the Governance Compliance Statement, Pension Administration Strategy, and the Communications Policy. Other key responsibilities of the Committee include:

• Policy approval • Appointing Advisers and monitoring Fund performance • Monitoring Scheme Governance

The Funding Strategy sets out the aims and purpose of the Fund and the responsibilities of the Administering Authority as regards funding the scheme. Regulation 7 of The Local Government Pension

https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/4510769/council-constitution.pdf


Scheme (Management and Investment of Funds) Regulations 2016 requires an authority to formulate, publish and maintain an Investment Strategy Statement. The Investment Strategy Statement required by Regulation 7 must include: -

• a requirement to invest money in a wide variety of investments • the authority’s assessment of the suitability of particular investments and types of investments; • the authority’s approach to risk, including the ways in which risks are to be measured and

managed; • the authority’s approach to pooling investments, including the use of collective investment vehicles

and shared services; • the authority’s policy on how social, environmental or corporate governance considerations are

considered in the selection, non-selection, retention and realisation of investments; and • the authority’s policy on the exercise of rights (including voting rights) attaching to investments.

The Investment Strategy Statement must also set out the maximum percentage of the total value of all investments of fund money that it will invest in particular investments or classes of investment. The Communications Policy details the overall strategy for involving stakeholders in the Pension Fund. The Pension Fund also has a Breaches of Law Policy. Additionally, an Administration Authority directions document has been developed stating those discretions found within the scheme that it has adopted. All documentation is published at: www.buckscc.gov.uk/pensions

The Pension Administration Strategy is an important tool in managing and improving the administrative performance of the Fund. It formally sets out the requirements of both Buckinghamshire Council as the Administering Authority and participating employers/third party payroll providers in the Fund in a single document within one framework. A formal review is undertaken every three years.

Local Pension Board

Governance Arrangements

The purpose of the Local Pension Board is to assist the Administering Authority in its role as a scheme manager of the Scheme. This covers all aspects of governance and administration of the LGPS, including funding and investments. Such assistance is to secure compliance with the Regulations, any other legislation relating to the governance and administration of the Scheme and any requirements imposed by the Pensions Regulator in relation to the Scheme. The Board must also ensure the effective and efficient governance and administration of the Scheme and help the administering authority, including undertaking work requested by the administering authority.

The Local Pension Board meet four times a year. Substitutions are not permitted.

The membership of the Local Pension Board is:

• Four Scheme employer representatives • Four Scheme member representatives

Details of the Local Pension Board’s membership, Terms of Reference, Code of Conduct Policy, Conflicts Policy and Knowledge and Understanding Framework are available on the Council’s website at: https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/local-government-pension-scheme/buckinghamshire-pension-board/


https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/local-government-pension-scheme/buckinghamshire-pension-board/

https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/local-government-pension-scheme/buckinghamshire-pension-board/


Stakeholder Engagement A triennial meeting of the Pension Fund, called the ‘Pensions General Meeting’, is held in December in the year of the Fund valuation (the year prior to when the revised contribution rates from the valuation are due to come into effect), to which all employer representatives and scheme members are welcome. The purpose of the meeting is to report on investment performance and current issues of concern to the Fund stakeholders. Mechanisms used to involve stakeholders include:

• Communication with Scheme employers • Dedicated Employer Liaison Officers and LGPS Technical Officer • Training Events • Meetings with the Actuary and the Auditors • Meetings with Advisors • Meetings with Brunel Pension Partnership • Buckinghamshire Finance Officers meetings • The annual report for the Pension Fund • Scheme member newsletters/updates

Review and Compliance with Best Practice This statement will be kept under review and will be revised and published annually or following any material change in the Governance Policy Statement of the Pension Fund. The Pension Fund is regularly audited, and no material findings have arisen from either our internal or external auditors. The Council recognises the importance of ensuring that all staff and members charged with the financial administration and decision-making with regard to the pension scheme are fully equipped with the knowledge and skills to discharge the duties and responsibilities allocated to them. It therefore seeks to utilise individuals who are both capable and experienced and it will provide/arrange training for staff and members of the pension fund’s decision-making bodies to enable them to acquire and maintain an appropriate level of expertise, knowledge and skills. The Regulations require a statement as to the extent to which the governance arrangements comply with guidance issued by the Secretary of State. This statement is confirming that all the above-mentioned mechanisms are in place and are effective and embedded. Any breach will be reported to the Chairman of the Pension Fund Committee. A summary of our compliance with recommended good practice is outlined below. Responsible Officer: Claire Lewis-Smith, Pensions Administration Manager


Good Practice Requirement Structure Met/Not Met Evidence 1.Structure The management of the administration of benefits and strategic management of fund assets clearly rests with the main committee established by the appointing Council.

Met Pension Fund Committee (PFC) Terms of Reference

That representatives of LGPS Scheme employers and scheme members (including pensioner and deferred members) are members of either the main or secondary committee established to underpin the work of the main committee.

Met PFC Terms of Reference and Buckinghamshire Pension Fund (BPB) Terms of Reference

That where a secondary committee or panel has been established, the structure ensures effective communication across both levels.

Met PFC meets five times per year and BPB meets four times per year. BPB minutes are on the PFC agenda and vice-versa

2.Representation

That all key stakeholders are afforded the opportunity to be represented within the main or secondary committee structure. These include: - i) Scheme employers (including non-local government employers, e.g. admitted bodies); ii) Scheme members (including deferred and pensioner scheme members), iii) Independent professional observers, and iv) Expert advisors (on an ad-hoc basis).

Met Key stakeholders on PFC or BPB as per Terms of Reference i) PFC and BPB ii) BPB iii) PFC and BPB iv) PFC and BPB

That where lay members sit on a main or secondary committee, they are treated equally in terms of access to papers and meetings, training and are given full opportunity to contribute to the decision-making process, with or without voting rights.

Met All PFC members and advisers get all papers except where it concerns them. BPB members are provided with relevant training as required under The Pensions Regulator’s Code of Practice 14.

3.Selection and role of lay members

That committee or panel members are made fully aware of the status, role and function they are required to perform on either a main or secondary committee.

Met This is set out in the Committee’s terms of reference.

4.Voting


The policy of individual administering authorities on voting rights is clear and transparent, including the justification for not extending voting rights to each body or group represented on main LGPS committees.

Met Voting rights are not specifically noted in the PFC Terms of Reference. However, under section 4 (Membership) there are 9 members and under section 4.5 it is noted that members have Quasi-Trustee status and therefore no substitutions are permitted. Section 4.6 confirms the Quorum is 4 members. BPB has 4 employer representatives and 4 scheme member representatives. The Terms of Reference confirms the Quorum is 4 Board members, comprising of at least 2 employer and 2 scheme member representatives. Substitutions are not permitted.

5. Training/facility time/expenses

That in relation to the way in which statutory and related decisions are taken by the administering authority, there is a clear policy on training, facility time and reimbursement of expenses in respect of members involved in the decision-making process.

Met Training for PFC members is undertaken annually as detailed by the PFC training plan. This organisation has adopted the key recommendations of the Code of Practice on Public Sector Pensions Finance Knowledge and Skills. Reimbursement of Expenses is defined in BC constitution. Training for BPB members is undertaken in accordance with The Pensions Regulator’s Code of Practice 14.

That where such a policy exists, it applies equally to all members of committees, sub-committees, advisory panels or any other form of secondary forum.

Met Reimbursement of expenses is defined in BC Constitution.

6.Meetings (frequency/quorum) That an administering authority’s main committee or committees meet at least quarterly.

Met PFC Terms of Reference.

That an administering authority’s secondary committee or panel meet at least twice a year and is synchronised with the dates when the main committee sits.

Met BPB Terms of Reference.


7.Access

That subject to any rules in the council constitution, all members of main and secondary committees or panels have equal access to committee papers, documents and advice that falls to be considered at meetings of the main committee.

Met Confirmed that this applies by Member Services.

8.Scope

That administering authorities have taken steps to bring wider scheme issues within the scope of their governance arrangements.

Met PFC forward plan requires Senior Pension officers to attend meetings to discuss and raise issues outside the usual scope of Pension Fund Investment.

9.Publicity

That administering authorities have published details of their governance arrangements in such a way that stakeholders with an interest in the way in which the scheme is governed, can express an interest in wanting to be part of those arrangements.

Met All non-confidential agendas, papers and minutes are on Buckinghamshire Council’s external website. There is a separate policies section on the website where all governance policies are available.


The Pension Fund Committee The membership of the Pension Fund Committee throughout 2019/2020 is detailed below:

Cllr John Chilver Chairman Cllr David Martin Vice-Chairman Cllr Arif Hussain To 30 June 2019 Cllr Ralph Bagge From 1 July 2019 Cllr Timothy Butcher Cllr Clive Harriss Cllr Niknam Hussain Cllr John Gladwin District Councils Cllr Norman Miles Milton Keynes Council Cllr Matthew Barber Thames Valley Police

PFC Meeting attendance Matrix 2019/2020

Chair (JC)

Vice (DM)

BCC Cllr Rep (RB)

BCC Cllr Rep (TB)

BCC Cllr Rep (CH)

BCC Cllr Rep (AH)

BCC Cllr Rep (NH)

DC Cllr Rep (JG)

MKC Cllr Rep (NM)

TVP Cllr Rep (MB)

30 May 2019 26 July 2019 13 Sept 2019 26 Nov 2019 28 Feb 2020

All members of the Committee have voting rights. PFC Members are required to disclose any declarations of interest at the beginning of each Pension Fund Committee meeting.

The training offered to Pension Fund Committee members included:

• Brunel’s Responsible Investment Policy • Brunel Private Markets • Brunel Annual Engagement Day


Buckinghamshire Pension Board Buckinghamshire Pension Board

The membership of the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund throughout 2019/2020 is detailed below:

Scheme member representatives

• Peter Dearden • Steve Mason (Chairman) • Joe McGovern • Tina Pearce

Scheme employer representatives

• Bev Black • Roona Ellis (Vice Chairman) • Ian Thompson • Lisa Wheaton

BPB meeting and training attendance matrix 2019/2020

Chair

Vice

Emp Rep (BB)

Emp Rep (IT)

Emp Rep (LW)

Mem Rep (PD)

Mem Rep (JM)

Mem Rep (TP)

BPB meeting 18 July 2019

BPB meeting 2 Oct 2019

BPB meeting 18 Dec 2019

CIPFA/BW Annual Event June 2019

In-house BW actuarial training-August 2019

In-house Employer training Aug 2019

LGPC Fundamentals training Oct-Dec 2019

CIPFA/BW Autumn member seminar Oct 2019

Annual LGPS Trustee Conference 2020 York

The Buckinghamshire Pension Fund met three times this year. The meeting of 20 March 2020 was cancelled due to COVID-19.


Annual Review of the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund Board The Public Service Pensions Act 2013 introduced the requirement to have a Local Pensions Board to assist in the good governance of the scheme. The Board met three times in 2019/2020 as one meeting was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Board consists of 4 Employer and 4 Member representatives and all positions were filled during the year. An attendance rate of 79% has been achieved for this year. All members of the Board have equal voting rights.

On 31 March 2020, the Board members were:

Scheme member representatives

• Peter Dearden • Steve Mason (Chairman) • Joe McGovern • Tina Pearce

Scheme employer representatives

• Bev Black • Roona Ellis (Vice Chairman) • Ian Thompson • Lisa Wheaton

Members of the Board are required to disclose any declarations of interest at the beginning of each Buckinghamshire Pension Fund meeting.

In accordance with Section 248a of the Pensions Act 2004, every member of the Buckinghamshire Council Local Pension Board must be conversant with the rules of the scheme (the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations), and any document recording policy about the administration of the scheme which is for the time being adopted in relation to the scheme.

Pension Board members must also have knowledge and understanding of the law relating to pensions, and such other matters as may be prescribed.

Accordingly, all members of the Board are encouraged to take advantage of the many training opportunities notified to them by Pensions Officers and to maintain their core knowledge via self-study using the Pension Regulator’s Public Services toolkit for online learning. This includes modules on conflicts of interest, managing risk and internal controls, maintaining accurate member data, maintaining member contributions, providing information to members and others, resolving internal disputes and reporting breaches of the law.

Other training opportunities offered to and undertaken by Board Members include:

• Barnett Waddingham Board Member Seminars • Barnett Waddingham Administration and Investment Training • LGPC Annual Trustee’s Conference • In-house Actuarial Training


• In-house Employer Training

At the end of its fifth year since inception, the Board looked back at a busy and varied 12 months. The Board undertook annual reviews of:

• their Terms of Reference, Code of Conduct Policy, Conflicts Policy and the Knowledge and Understanding Framework,

• the Pension Fund Pension Administration Strategy, • the Pension Fund Annual Report and Accounts 2018/2019, and • the Pension Fund Risk Register.

At each meeting of the Board, reports were presented and considered regarding:

• Pension Fund Administration Performance Statistics, • Pension Fund Administration Year-end Updates, • Pension Fund Committee agenda and minutes, • Updates from Officers regarding the progress in implementing the Brunel Pension Partnership as

part of the Government LGPS Investments reform agenda, • The BPF Employer’s Newsletter for each quarter.

Ad-hoc reports were presented and considered regarding:

• Breaches of the Law • Communication Policy Statement • Employer Risk Analysis, • Governance Compliance Statement • Guaranteed Minimum Pension Reconciliation/Rectification, • I-Connect/My Pension Online, • Internal Administration Benchmarking • Internal Disputes Resolution Procedure • Investment Strategy • Scheme member and employer communications • Training Opportunities

In addition, the Board Chairman attended meetings of the Pensions Committee in an ‘observer’ capacity and had regular meetings with senior Officers to review Administration and Investments.

The Board Chairman reported that, 2020 had promised to be a challenging year, with the continuing transfer of Fund assets to the Brunel pool and the transition from separate Buckinghamshire councils to a new Unitary Council from April 1st. In the midst of this the country was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, with Board meetings and training cancelled or held virtually, offices closed and staff working from home.

Despite this, the work of the Board and Officers continues, albeit at arms-length. The timetable of Board meetings continues through 2020 into 2021, with Board Members communicating via e-mail, until such time as face-to-face meetings resume.

The Board Chairman, Steve Mason, is confident that the Board will be able to fulfil its primary duties of supporting Officers in the administration of the scheme and fund and monitoring the Pensions Committee and Pension Fund’s performance.


Pensions Administration Strategy Introduction With 5.6 million members, the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is one of the largest public sector pension schemes in the UK. Buckinghamshire Pension Fund has approximately 259 employers with over 69,000 scheme members in total. http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/local-government-pension-scheme/employers/contribution-rates/ The LGPS is one national scheme, administered locally, and is a valuable part of the pay and reward package for employees working in local government or for other employers participating in the Scheme. Success in promoting the Scheme amongst members and ensuring a high-quality service delivery depends upon the relationship between the Administering Authority and Scheme employers, and Scheme employers and their employees. It should be noted that where a Scheme employer uses a third-party payroll provider, the Scheme employer remains the responsible party under The LGPS Regulations. Good quality administration and communication assists in the overall promotion of the Scheme and reminds employees of the value of the LGPS, which in turn aids recruitment, retention and motivation of employees. Providing employees with confidence in the administration of their benefits, in a Scheme with ever increasing complexity, is a challenge facing both administering authorities and Scheme employers. The Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013 enable an Administering Authority to prepare a written statement to assist the Administering Authority and Scheme employers in working together to provide a high-quality service to all parties. This document sets out the pension administration strategy of Buckinghamshire Council as the Administering Authority of the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund, after consultation with Scheme employers and the Local Pension Board. The aim of the strategy is to detail the procedures for liaison and communication, and to establish levels of performance for both the Administering Authority and Scheme employers. It endeavours to promote good working relationships, provide transparency and improve efficiency and quality. It specifies how performance levels will be monitored and action that can be taken if targets are not met. The strategy is effective from 1 April 2019. Any enquiries in relation to this strategy should be sent to: Pensions Administration Manager Buckinghamshire Council Pensions & Investments Team Walton Street Offices Aylesbury HP20 1UD Regulatory Framework Regulation 59 of The Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013 enables an Administering Authority to prepare a written statement of the authority’s policies in relation to the following: • Procedures for liaison and communication with its Scheme employers.

• The establishment of levels of performance which the Administering Authority and its Scheme

employers are expected to achieve in carrying out their scheme functions by: 1. the setting of performance targets

http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/local-government-pension-scheme/employers/contribution-rates/

http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/local-government-pension-scheme/employers/contribution-rates/


2. the making of agreements about levels of performance and associated matters, or 3. such other means as the Administering Authority considers appropriate

• Procedures which aim to secure that the Administering Authority and its Scheme employers comply

with statutory requirements in respect of those functions and with any agreement about levels of performance.

• Procedures for improving the communication by the Administering Authority and its Scheme employers to each other of information relating to those functions.

• The circumstances in which the Administering Authority may consider giving notice to any of its

Scheme employers under Regulation 70 (additional costs arising from Scheme employer’s level of performance) on account of that employer’s unsatisfactory performance in carrying out its Scheme functions when measured against levels of performance.

• The publication by the Administering Authority of annual reports dealing with:

1. the extent to which that authority and its Scheme employers have achieved the levels of performance established, and

2. such other matters arising from its pension administration strategy as it considers appropriate; and 3. such other matters as appear to the Administering Authority after consulting its Scheme employers

and such other persons as it considers appropriate, to be suitable for inclusion in that strategy.

Regulation 59(3) states that an Administering Authority must keep the strategy under review and make appropriate revisions following any material change in its policies in relation to any matters contained within the strategy. When preparing, reviewing or making revisions to the strategy, an Administering Authority must consult its Scheme employers and any other persons it considers appropriate. Under Regulation 59(6), where an Administering Authority publishes its pension administration strategy, or that strategy is revised, it must send a copy to each of its Scheme employers and to the Secretary of State as soon as is reasonably practicable. In preparing, reviewing or making revisions to the policy, an Administering Authority must consult its Scheme employers. This will be carried out via direct mailing, employer newsletters or via the Pension Board. Full regard must be given to the strategy by both an Administering Authority and Scheme employers when performing their functions under the LGPS Regulations. Regulation 70 of The Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013 applies where, in the opinion of an administering authority, it has incurred additional costs which should be recovered from a Scheme employer, because of that Scheme employer’s level of performance in carrying out its functions under the LGPS Regulations. Should the situation arise, an Administering Authority may give written notice to the Scheme employer stating the reasons why, in the administering authority’s opinion, their performance is not satisfactory, the amount of additional costs to be recovered and the basis on which the specified amount has been calculated and the provisions of the strategy which are relevant to the decision to give notice. Taking into account the regulatory framework, this strategy details the requirements in accordance with Regulations 59 and 70 of The Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013 and lays the foundation


of the day to day relationship between Buckinghamshire Council as the Administering Authority and the Scheme employers of the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund. Responsibilities and Procedures Procedures for liaison and communication with Scheme employers Delivery of a high-quality administration service does not rest solely with the Administering Authority but is highly dependent on effective partnership working with Scheme employers and other statutory and advisory bodies. This strategy takes account of Scheme employers’ current pension knowledge, perception of current administration standards and specific training needs to ensure the required standard can be met. Procedures for liaison and communication between the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund and Scheme employers are contained within the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund’s Communication Policy. http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/local-government-pension-scheme/policies/ Procedures for improving communication between the Administering Authority and Scheme employers Effective communication between all parties concerned reduces errors, improves efficiency and nurtures better working relationships. Where performance monitoring shows there is cause for concern, the Scheme employer’s dedicated Employer Liaison Officer will work closely with them to improve any underperformance. Training Buckinghamshire Council as the Administering Authority will provide annual training sessions for all Scheme employers and additional training and support to Scheme employers where concerns are identified. All Scheme employers may request an ad-hoc training session. Website The Buckinghamshire Pension Fund website is reviewed and updated on a regular basis. The website has relevant information for Scheme employers regarding scheme changes and all relevant policies agreed by the Administering Authority are published on the site. All employer newsletters are also available. The website address is: www.buckscc.gov.uk/pensions Establishing levels of performance Performance Standards In relation to the entitlement of scheme members, the LGPS stipulates that certain decisions are to be made by either the Administering Authority or Scheme employer. In order to fulfil these requirements and also comply with disclosure legislation, Buckinghamshire Council as the Administering Authority has agreed levels of performance between itself and Scheme employers prescribed under a Service Level Agreement (SLA).



TUPE Transfers Any existing Scheme employer planning a contract likely to involve a TUPE transfer of staff should contact the TUPE Liaison Officer at the earliest opportunity. The employer will be provided with a guide, detailing all of the options available to them, the process to be followed if Admitted Body status is required and the relevant charges that will apply including actuary and legal fees and bond requirements. Overriding legislation In discharging their roles and responsibilities under the LGPS Regulations, the Administering Authority and Scheme employers are required to comply with overriding legislation such as:

• Superannuation Act 1972; • Pensions Act 1995 and associated disclosure legislation; • Freedom of Information Act 2000; • Finance Act 2004; • Equality Act 2010; • Public Service Pensions Act 2013; • Data Protection Act 2018; and • Health and Safety legislation.

The above are minimum requirements and in addition to these there are also local standards and best practice outlined below. Internal Standards These are standards detailed in the SLA and include:

• Compliance with all requirements in the SLA; • Provision of information or notifications in the required format using i-Connect and/or using

forms/spreadsheets as provided with the SLA; • All information or notifications to be legible and accurate; • Communications to be in plain language; • Information provided to be checked for accuracy by another member of staff; • A nominated pension contact within each Scheme employer; and • Information provided or decisions made within the timescales contained within the SLA.

Timeliness Overriding legislation dictates minimum standards required in relation to certain actions, decisions and information to be provided by an Administering Authority and Scheme employers. In addition to these minimum standards the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund has deadlines for the provision of data and local performance measures to be met and which are used for monitoring purposes. These measures are contained within the SLA. Data quality In order to meet targets set out in the SLA it is imperative that the data provided by Scheme employers is accurate. Data should be provided using i-Connect or the forms/spreadsheets provided with the SLA. This will ensure member records are correct and will enable the Administering Authority to submit accurate


data as part of the triennial valuation. The Administering Authority will apply data quality control and review processes. Employer Liaison Officers Each Scheme employer will be allocated a specific Employer Liaison Officer as their main point of contact regarding any aspect of administering the LGPS. Procedures for ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and levels of performance Ensuring compliance is the responsibility of the Administering Authority and Scheme employers. The Administering Authority will work with its Scheme employers to adhere to all the appropriate legislation and provide support to ensure quality and timeliness of provision of data is continually improved. Various methods will be used to ensure compliance and service improvement such as: Audit The Buckinghamshire Pension Fund will be subject to an annual audit of its processes and internal controls, with the Council’s Regulatory and Audit Committee applying scrutiny to the Fund. Both the Administering Authority and Scheme employers will be expected to comply with requests for information from internal and external auditors in a timely manner. Any subsequent recommendations will be implemented into the appropriate document. Performance monitoring The Administering Authority will report on each Scheme employer periodically against specific tasks outlined in the SLA. The Administering Authority will monitor its own performance in accordance with the SLA, provide an internal benchmark comparison year on year and report outcomes to the Pension Board. Employer liaison meetings Meetings with Scheme employers and their Employer Liaison Officer will take place at the request of either the Administering Authority or the Scheme employer to review performance against targets and the quality of data exchange. Frequent meetings will be arranged for larger employers or where deemed necessary by either party. Pension Board The purpose of the Board is to assist the Administering Authority in its role as scheme manager of the Scheme. This covers all aspects of Governance and administration of the LGPS, including funding and investments. Regular reports on administration performance and other associated matters will be discussed at Pension Board meetings. The Board’s Terms of Reference can be found at: https://democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/documents/s71216/Pension%20Fund%20Board%20TOR.pdf Pension Fund Committee The Pension Fund Committee (PFC) is responsible for setting overall investment strategy and investment principles. They appoint Advisors and monitor Fund performance. They are responsible for monitoring

https://democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/documents/s71216/Pension%20Fund%20Board%20TOR.pdf


scheme governance and policy approval. The PFC’s Terms of Reference can be found in the Council’s Constitution at: https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/4510769/council-constitution.pdf Valuation The Buckinghamshire Pension Fund is subject to a triennial full valuation of its assets in accordance with the LGPS Regulatory Framework. The Fund actuary sets employer contribution rates based on the data submitted. Interim mini valuations may also be undertaken at the discretion of the Pension Fund Committee. Both the Administering Authority and Scheme employers will be expected to comply with requests for information from the actuary in a timely manner. Year End and Annual Benefit Statements. Annual year end processes will be circulated to all Scheme employers in a timely manner. Outline details are within the SLA. Annual Benefit Statements will be made available to members online, by 31 August each year, unless they have elected for a hard copy. Further details on Annual Benefit Statements are outlined in the Communications Policy. Treasury Management A service level agreement exists between Buckinghamshire Council’s Treasury Management Service and the Pensions & Investments Team which is approved by the Pension Fund Committee. Circumstances where the Administering Authority may levy costs associated with a Scheme employer’s poor performance Routine and cyclical activity is not directly charged to a Scheme employer. Any additional costs incurred by the Administering Authority as a direct result of poor performance will be recovered from the Scheme employer. The circumstances where additional costs will be recovered include:

• Constant failure to provide relevant information to the administering authority, scheme member or other relevant party in accordance with the SLA;

• Failure to pass relevant information to the scheme member or potential members due to poor quality or within the prescribed timescale;

• Failure to deduct and pay over correct employee and employer contributions to the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund within the prescribed timescales; and

• Payment of fines being levied on the Administering Authority due to a Scheme employer’s under-performance by the Pensions Regulator, Pensions Ombudsman or any other regulatory body.

The Administering Authority may also charge for other services. Details of all the charges that apply are detailed at Appendix A. Procedures to address unsatisfactory performance The relevant Employer Liaison Officer will work with a Scheme employer at the earliest opportunity if they are failing to meet the requirements of the performance levels required under the SLA and ultimately this strategy. They will identify any underlying issues and assist with any necessary training and development required to address the performance.

https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/4510769/council-constitution.pdf


Steps to recover additional administration costs will only be taken where persistent failure occurs after intervention and support has been offered and undertaken by the relevant Employer Liaison Officer. These steps will only be implemented once all opportunities to address performance issues are exhausted. The steps to be taken in these circumstances are:

• The Scheme employer will be written to setting out the areas of unsatisfactory performance • A meeting will be arranged with the Scheme employer to discuss the unsatisfactory performance

and to formulate a plan on how to address those areas • Where a Scheme employer does not agree to a meeting or does not show improvement in line with

action agreed during the meeting, a formal notice will be issued. This will detail the areas of unsatisfactory performance identified, the steps taken to resolve those areas and that the additional costs will be recovered;

• The costs to be recovered will be clearly set out taking into account the time taken by the Administering Authority to resolve the specific area of unsatisfactory performance; and

• Make the claim against the Scheme employer, giving reasons for doing so, in accordance with the Regulations.

Administering Authority unsatisfactory performance will be reported to the Pension Board and Pension Fund Committee if applicable. Performance is monitored against the SLA. Review Process The administration strategy will be reviewed every 3 years unless circumstances dictate more regular reviews are required. The current version of the administration strategy will be available on our website at the link below. Hard copies will be made available on request. http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/local-government-pension-scheme/policies/ Buckinghamshire Pension Fund Walton Street Offices Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP20 1UD 01296 383755 [email protected] www.buckscc.gov.uk/pensions





Charging Schedule

1 Failure to notify BC of new starters by the 19th of the month following the month payroll action was taken

Charge dependent on the amount of additional time spent obtaining the outstanding data by Pensions & Investments Team

2 Failure to notify BC of a change in hours or a change in member’s address by the 19th of the month following the date where payroll action was taken


3 Failure to notify BC of unpaid leave, parental leave or trade dispute breaks by the 19th of the month following the month in which payroll action was taken


4 Failure to notify BC of any member leaving by the 19th of the month following the month in which the member left


5 Failure to notify BC of any retirement within 3 weeks of the member’s retirement date


6 Whereas a result of the Employer’s/Payroll Provider’s failure to notify BC of a retirement interest becomes payable on any lump sum or death grant paid, BC will recharge the total amount of interest to the Scheme employer

Interest calculated in accordance with Regulation 81 of The LGPS Regulations 2013

7 Failure to notify BC of the death in service of a member within 10 working days of notification


8 Failure to notify BC of the monthly contributions deducted by the 19th of the month via the monthly notification spreadsheet (non i-Connect Scheme employers)


9 Failure to pay over monthly contributions to BC by the 19th of the month following deduction of the contributions


10 Failure to pay an additional administration cost


11 Failure to provide BC with the annual year end return by 30 April

£50 per working day from 1 May to date return is received

12 Failure to respond to requests for Year-end information to resolve queries within the prescribed time


13 Estimate requests in excess of two required in a rolling year

£11.50 per estimate plus VAT per additional request

14 Other non-standard work Charge dependent on the amount of time taken and P&I staff undertaking the work


Notes to the Charging Schedule Please note the detail below applies to all Scheme employers whether they submit a monthly notification spreadsheet or use i-Connect.

1 Notifications of new starters must include all of the information detailed in the New Entrants to the Scheme section of the SLA.

2 Notifications of changes in hours and address must include all of the information detailed in the Changes section of the SLA.

3 Notification of any unpaid leave, parental leave or trade dispute breaks must include all of the information detailed in the Unpaid Leave section of the SLA.

4 Notifications of leavers must include all of the information required on the ‘Notification of Employee Leaving’ form, detailed in the Leavers section of the SLA. Where an overtime payment is still to be made and the employer is not able to submit the form before the 19th of the month following the month in which the member left, they should submit the form as soon as possible after the final payment and not wait until the following month’s submission.

5 Notifications of retirements must include all of the information required on the ‘Notification of Employee Leaving’ form, detailed in the Retirements section of the SLA. Where an overtime payment is still to be made and the employer is not able to submit the form before the 19th of the month following the month in which the member left, they should submit the form as soon as possible after the final payment and not wait until the following month’s submission.

6 Regulation 81 of The LGPS Regulations 2013 state that interest must be calculated at one per cent above base rate on a day to day basis from the due date to the date of payment and compounded with three-monthly rests. If late payment of a lump sum or death grant occurs as a result of a failure by the scheme member to provide information to the Pensions & Investments Team, the pension fund will be liable for the payment of any interest due.

7 Notification of a death in service must include all of the information required on the ‘Notification of Employee Leaving’ form, detailed in the Death in Service section of the SLA.

8 Notification of the contributions deducted should be sent (non i-Connect users only) on a monthly basis in order for the contributions to be reconciled and allocated correctly.

9 Requirements regarding payment of monthly contributions are set out in the Monthly Contributions section of the SLA. Regulation 71 of The LGPS Regulations 2013 states that for overdue payments, interest must be calculated at one per cent above base rate on a day to day basis from the due date to the date of payment and compounded with three-monthly rests.

10 Regulation 71 of The LGPS Regulations 2013 states that for overdue payments, interest must be calculated at one per cent above base rate on a day to day basis from the due date to the date of payment and compounded with three-monthly rests.

11 Requirements regarding submission of the annual return are set out in the Year-End Return section of the SLA.

12 Requirements regarding Year-End queries are set out in the Year-End section of the SLA. Late notifications will only be reported where the standards set out in the SLA have not been met as a result of the Scheme employer’s failure to meet the required standards.


Communications Policy Statement Introduction With over 67,000 Scheme members, the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund has a responsibility to provide timely and accurate information to all stakeholders. Regulation 61 of the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013 requires Funds to prepare, maintain and publish a written statement setting out its policy concerning communications. This policy statement outlines the Fund’s position on:

• The provision of information and publicity about the Scheme to members, employers and representatives of members participating in the Fund.

• The promotion of the Scheme to prospective members and Scheme employers. • The format, frequency and method of distributing such information or publicity.

To ensure the information reaches all interested parties, different media and methods of communication will be used.

Communications with Scheme Members Printed Literature The Fund provides brief and full Scheme guides, which give information on the key aspects of the Scheme, based on the guides produced by the Local Government Association (LGA). The Scheme guides serve as a reference point for Scheme members and are available on request from the member’s Scheme employer or direct from the Pensions & Investments Team website. The Fund also produces a guide for pensioner members, “Your Retirement”, which provides information on the benefits payable and other factors for consideration after retirement. The retirement guide is updated annually. All guides are updated and uploaded to the Fund’s website when there are changes to the Regulations. Printed copies are available on request. Internet The Fund’s website, http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/pensions, is the main medium for communicating with Scheme members and changes to the Scheme are regularly added to the website. The website is reviewed frequently and is updated as required. The website provides a number of online Scheme guides, forms, and fact sheets along with links to other relevant websites. Details of Scheme benefits, pensioner pay dates and other frequently requested information, including contact details for the Pensions & Investments Team are available. Electronic copies of the Fund’s forms and guides are available for download in PDF format. Telephone The Pensions & Investments Team has a dedicated helpline number for member enquiries. The helpline is staffed by Member Liaison Officer from 09:00 until 17:30 Monday to Thursday, 09:00 until 17:00 on

http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/pensions/


Friday and an answering service is in operation at all other times. All communications published include the helpline number, 01296 383755.

Fax, Post and Email The Fund publishes central fax, postal and email contact details for member enquiries. The fax, post and email accounts are monitored daily. All correspondence is date stamped, logged on a workflow monitoring system and scanned directly to the member’s record on receipt for appropriate action. Full contact details are:

Address: Pensions & Investments Team Buckinghamshire Council Walton Street Offices Aylesbury Bucks HP20 1UD

Email: [email protected] Fax: 01296 383780 Pensions Presentations The Fund offers a variety of presentations, which are available to active scheme members or those wishing to join the Scheme. Presentations include:

• Induction – For new employees • Planning for the Future • Pre-Retirement • Scheme changes e.g. LGPS 2014 changes

These courses are available upon request by Scheme employers. Newsletters A member newsletter detailing Scheme updates is compiled and distributed to all active Scheme members annually. Where the newsletter also relates to deferred and pensioner members, they will receive a copy of the newsletter as well. A pensioner newsletter, “In Touch”, is prepared and distributed annually detailing the annual pensions increase, pay dates for the year, contact details for the Pensions & Investments Team and other statutory information. Payslips/P60s Pensioner members are sent a payslip every month where there is more than a £5.00 variance in their net monthly payment, or where they have requested a monthly payslip to be sent. All pensioner members receive an annual payslip in April and May to reflect the pensions increase. A payslip is issued to all pensioners in September/October. This was implemented to ensure we are aware of any pensioners who may have moved and not informed us of their new address. P60s are issued by the end of May each year.



Short messages can be printed onto payslips and these can be used to communicate personal changes or more general pension information.

Annual Benefit Statements All active, deferred and pension credit members receive an annual benefit statement, delivered to their home address where known, otherwise via their employer. The Fund is legally required to send an annual benefit statement to all active, deferred and pension credit (individuals awarded a pension credit on divorce) members, as per Regulation 89 of The Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013. The annual benefit statement provides Scheme members with:

• an estimate of the current value of Scheme benefits and death benefits • a projection of benefits at retirement • an opportunity to check that all details on their record are correct

Retirement information When notification of a Scheme member’s retirement is received, a benefit statement is prepared to show the pension benefits the member is entitled to. A website link to the retirement guide (with the option to request a printed copy) is included in our correspondence and this information is sent to the member’s home address, or email address where known. Letter of Condolence When the Fund receives notification of the death of a Scheme member, a letter of condolence is sent to the dependents, beneficiaries or personal representatives, detailing the administrative procedure to be followed. Member Self Service – ‘my pension online’ The Fund has updated its pension administration system to enable members to access their pension details online. Registered members are able to safely and securely access their Annual Benefit Statements, check the accuracy of their pension records, calculate the pension benefits due at retirement and view and change who they have nominated to receive their lump sum Death Grant.

Active members will receive registration information via their work email address or can register online at https://ms.buckinghamshire.gov.uk. Deferred and pensioner members can register online at https://ms.buckinghamshire.gov.uk. In future all our annual benefits statements will only be available online. If, however, members would prefer to continue receiving a paper statement, they are able to opt out of Member Self Service.

Communication with Scheme employers Employing authorities in the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund include scheduled bodies and admitted bodies as defined in Regulation 3 of The Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013.




Scheduled Bodies are required to offer Scheme membership to their employees. Some may have to pass a resolution and/or designate a specific class of employee eligible to be a member. Admitted Authorities are employers who have entered into an "admission agreement" with BC to allow their employees to join the Scheme. Internet The Fund’s website is accessible to all Scheme employers. The website includes a dedicated Employer area, and is regularly updated with changes to the Scheme, as well as providing access to Scheme guides and other relevant information. Telephone Each Scheme employer is allocated a dedicated Employer Liaison Officer and provided with this person’s name & direct contact details so that they do not have to use the Pensions & Investments Team helpline number. Fax and Post The Fund publishes central fax, postal and email address details for employers’ enquiries. These are monitored throughout the day.

Address: Pensions & Investments Team Walton Street Offices Aylesbury Bucks HP20 1UD Email: [email protected] Fax: 01296 383780

Email Scheme employers are periodically advised, via email, of changes to Scheme legislation, policy and issues currently under debate. The dedicated email address for Scheme employers to submit any queries is [email protected].

Newsletter A quarterly employer newsletter is sent to all Scheme employers, which summarises changes to Scheme legislation, policy, issues currently under debate and Scheme administration. These are also available from the Fund’s website.

Buckinghamshire Pension Board The Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) (Governance) Regulations 2014 set out the requirements for an Administering Authority to establish a Local Pension Board.

The purpose of the Board is to assist the Administering Authority in its role as a scheme manager. This covers all aspects of governance and administration of the LGPS, including funding and investments. Such assistance is to:




• secure compliance with the Regulations, any other legislation relating to the governance and administration of the Scheme, and requirements imposed by the Pensions Regulator in relation to the Scheme;

• to ensure the effective and efficient governance and administration of the Scheme. • helping the Administering Authority, including doing work requested by the administering authority

Full details of the Board and minutes of all meetings can be found at: https://democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=869

Year-End Financial Information Scheme employers receive an annual email requesting year-end financial information. This request includes a covering email, spreadsheet attachments, accompanying guidance notes for the provision of year-end data and a timetable setting out the requirements of both the Administering Authority and Scheme employers. Scheme employers are asked to certify the split between employer’s contributions, employee’s contributions and any additional contributions. This information is used to accurately reflect employers’ and scheme members’ contributions in the year-end Statement of Accounts. Once the contributions have been uploaded to the pension software system (Altair), it is used to produce the Annual Benefit Statements that are provided to all active and deferred Scheme members each year. Annual Reports and Accounts Copies of the Fund’s annual report and accounts are published on the website by the end of September each year. Hard copies are available on request. Presentations and meetings The BC Pensions & Investments Team invites representatives from all Scheme employers to attend the Pensions General Meeting, which takes place every 3 years in the year of the Fund valuation (the year prior to when the revised contribution rates from the valuation are due to come into effect). Presenters vary depending on key topics of the day but in the past have included BC’s Director of Assurance, Finance Director (Consultancy), Pensions & Investments Manager, Fund managers and the Scheme’s Actuary. Employer meetings and training sessions Meetings with a member of the Employer Liaison Team and Scheme employers will take place at the request of either the Administering Authority or the Scheme employer to review performance against targets and the quality of data exchanged. Frequent meetings will be arranged for larger employers or where deemed necessary by either party. Scheme employers can request training sessions for staff involved with the provision of Scheme information to the Fund, including correct completion of pension forms. Presentations by the Pensions & Investments Team are also provided at induction, preparing for the future and pre-retirement. Scheme employers must provide the venue and notify employees concerned of its

https://democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=869


availability. Due to the high demand for courses, the Pensions & Investments Team cannot offer this service to groups of fewer than 20 members. Employer Services In addition to Member Self Service, the Fund’s Employer Services website will soon go live. The system enables Employers to view and amend data online for their staff, including:

• New starter creation • Update of general information • Update of part-time hours • Notification of leavers • Benefit projector • Benefit calculations • Documentation • Reporting • Work activities • Submission of interface files

FRS17/IAS19 Reports

The FRS17 /IAS19 Reports are prepared annually and are provided to relevant Scheme employers in electronic format, via email.

Communication with members’ representatives Scheme members include prospective, active/contributing, deferred and pensioner members of the BC Pension Fund. Members’ representatives include any individual or group enquiring or acting on behalf of a Scheme member, with the Scheme member’s authority e.g. trade unions or solicitors. Internet The Fund’s website is accessible to members’ representatives and is regularly updated with changes to the Scheme, as well as providing access to Scheme guides and information. The website provides a number of online Scheme guides, forms, and fact sheets along with links to other relevant websites. Details of Scheme benefits, pensioner pay dates and other frequently requested information, including contact details for the Pensions & Investments Team are available. Telephone The Pensions & Investments Team has a dedicated helpline number for general pension enquiries. The helpline is staffed by Member Liaison Officers from 09:00 until 17:30, Monday to Thursday, 09:00 until 17:00 on Friday and an answering service is in operation at all other times. All communications published include the helpline number, 01296 383755. Fax, Post and Email The Fund publishes central fax, postal and email contact details for general pension enquiries. The fax, post and email accounts are monitored daily.


Address: The Pensions & Investments Team Walton Street Offices Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP20 1UD

Email: [email protected] Fax: 01296 383780

Communication with prospective members Printed Literature A link to the Fund’s website, directing the prospective member to the Scheme guides, death grant expression of wish forms and forms for transferring in benefits, is included in the employment offer package sent by the relevant Scheme employer to all new employees. Printed copies are available on request. Internet The Fund’s website provides a number of fact sheets and other frequently requested information, including contact details for the Pensions & Investments Team. Electronic copies of the Fund’s forms and guides are available for download and printed versions are available on request. The website is reviewed regularly and updated with changes to the Scheme. A link to the national Local Government Pension Scheme website is provided which has a section for employees thinking of joining. Telephone The Pensions & Investments Team has a dedicated helpline number for employees’ enquiries. The helpline is staffed b y Member L ia i son Of f i cers from 09:00 until 17:30, Monday to Thursday, 09:00 until 17:00 on Friday and an answering service is in operation at all other times. All communications published include the helpline number, 01296 383755.

Fax, Post and Email The Fund publishes central fax, postal and email contact details for general pension enquiries from any interested party. Induction presentations An overview of the Scheme is included in the induction programme for BC staff and other employers where Pensions & Investments Team representation is requested. Press Releases When there is a change to the Scheme, notification is issued by the Finance Director (Consultancy) or the Pensions & Investments Manager to all Scheme employers to cascade to all staff. Notifications will be sent via email. Miscellaneous Prospective members can request information, for illustration purposes, of the costs of joining the Scheme from their employer or from the national LGPS website.



The availability and format of Fund publications, frequency & review periods

Communication Material

Formats Available

Available To When Published When Reviewed

Scheme guides Online, paper All members, prospective members, members’ representatives, Scheme employers

Given at start of emp & available on request

As required

Fact sheets Online, paper All members, prospective members, members’ representatives, Scheme employers

Always available

As required

Member Self Service and Employer Services

Online All registered members and employers, allowing them to access their/their staff online pension records

Always available As required

Scheme update newsletter

Online, paper All Active members. Deferred and Pensioner members where necessary

Annually Annually

Pensioner newsletter

Online, paper Pensioner members Annually Annually

Technical Employer newsletter

Sent via email

Scheme employers Quarterly Quarterly

Payslips Paper, online Pensioner members Monthly if £5 variance in net pay or requested

As required

P60s Paper, online Pensioner members Annually Annually

Annual Benefit Statements

Paper, online All Active, Deferred and Pension Credit members

Annually Annually

Retirement guide

Online, paper Pensioner members At retirement As required

Annual Report and Accounts

Online Scheme employers Annually Annually

Fund Valuation Report

Online Scheme employers Triennial Triennial

Training/ Presentations

PowerPoint Presentation

Members, Scheme employers On request As required

Press Releases Electronic Scheme employers Scheme change As required

FRS17/IAS19 Reports

Electronic Relevant Scheme employers Annually Annually


Access to Communications The Fund can provide large print and Braille versions of all its printed literature on request. The Fund’s website is designed to work with assistive technologies e.g. screen readers for visually impaired users. This communication policy statement is reviewed every three years in line with the triennial valuation and a revised version will be republished following any material change.


Funding Strategy Statement Introduction

This is the Funding Strategy Statement for the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund (the Fund). It has been prepared in accordance with Regulation 58 of the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013 as amended (the Regulations) and describes Buckinghamshire Council’s strategy, in its capacity as administering authority of the Fund. Buckinghamshire Council replaced Buckinghamshire County Council as administering authority of the Fund on 1 April 2020.

The Fund’s employers and the Fund Actuary, Barnett Waddingham LLP, have been consulted on the contents of this statement.

This statement should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s Investment Strategy Statement (ISS) and has been prepared with regard to the guidance (Preparing and Maintaining a funding strategy statement in the LGPS 2016 edition) issued by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).

Purpose of the Funding Strategy Statement

The purpose of this Funding Strategy Statement (FSS) is to:

• Establish a clear and transparent fund-specific strategy that will identify how employers’ pension liabilities are best met going forward;

• Support the desirability of maintaining as nearly constant a primary contribution rate as possible, as defined in

• Regulation 62(6) of the Regulations; • Ensure that the regulatory requirements to set contributions to meet the future liability to provide

Scheme • member benefits in a way that ensures the solvency and long-term cost efficiency of the Fund are

met; and • Take a prudent longer-term view of funding those liabilities.

Aims and purpose of the Fund

The aims of the Fund are to:

• manage employers’ liabilities effectively and ensure that sufficient resources are available to meet all liabilities as they fall due;

• enable primary contribution rates to be kept as nearly constant as possible and (subject to the administering authority not taking undue risks) at reasonable cost to all relevant parties (such as the taxpayers, scheduled, resolution and admitted bodies), while achieving and maintaining Fund solvency and long-term cost efficiency, which should be assessed in light of the risk profile of the Fund and employers, and the risk appetite of the administering authority and employers alike; and

• Seek returns on investment within reasonable risk parameters.

The purpose of the Fund is to:

• Pay pensions, lump sums and other benefits to Scheme members as provided for under the regulations;

• Meet the costs associated in administering the Fund; and • Receive and invest contributions, transfer values and investment income.


Funding objectives

Contributions are paid to the Fund by Scheme members and the employing bodies to provide for the benefits which will become payable to Scheme members when they fall due.

The funding objectives are to:

• Ensure that pension benefits can be met as and when they fall due over the lifetime of the Fund; • Ensure the solvency of the Fund; • Set levels of employer contribution rates to target a 100% funding level over an appropriate time

period and using appropriate actuarial assumptions, while taking into account the different characteristics of participating employers;

• Build up the required assets in such a way that employer contribution rates are kept as stable as possible, with consideration of the long-term cost efficiency objective; and

• Adopt appropriate measures and approaches to reduce the risk, as far as possible, to the Fund, other employers and ultimately the taxpayer from an employer defaulting on its pension obligations.

In developing the funding strategy, the administering authority should also have regard to the likely outcomes of the review carried out under Section 13(4)(c) of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013. Section 13(4)(c) requires an independent review of the actuarial valuations of the LGPS funds; this involves reporting on whether the rate of employer contributions set as part of the actuarial valuations are set at an appropriate level to ensure the solvency of the Fund and the long-term cost efficiency of the Scheme so far as relating to the pension Fund. The review also looks at compliance and consistency of the actuarial valuations.

Key parties

The key parties involved in the funding process and their responsibilities are set out below.

The administering authority

The administering authority for the Fund is Buckinghamshire Council. The main responsibilities of the administering authority are to:

• Operate the Fund in accordance with the LGPS Regulations; • Collect employee and employer contributions, investment income and other amounts due to the

Fund as stipulated in the Regulations; • Invest the Fund’s assets in accordance with the Fund’s Investment Strategy Statement; • Pay the benefits due to Scheme members as stipulated in the Regulations; • Ensure that cash is available to meet liabilities as and when they fall due; • Take measures as set out in the Regulations to safeguard the Fund against the consequences of

employer default; • Manage the actuarial valuation process in conjunction with the Fund Actuary; • Prepare and maintain this FSS and also the ISS after consultation with other interested parties; • Monitor all aspects of the Fund’s performance; • Effectively manage any potential conflicts of interest arising from its dual role as both Fund

administrator and Scheme employer; and • Enable the Local Pension Board to review the valuation process as they see fit.


Scheme employers

In addition to the administering authority, a number of other Scheme employers participate in the Fund. The responsibilities of each employer that participates in the Fund, including the administering authority, are to:

• Collect employee contributions and pay these together with their own employer contributions, as certified by the Fund Actuary, to the administering authority within the statutory timescales;

• Notify the administering authority of any new Scheme members and any other membership changes promptly;

• Develop a policy on certain discretions and exercise those discretions as permitted under the Regulations;

• Meet the costs of any augmentations or other additional costs in accordance with agreed policies and procedures; and

• Pay any exit payments due on ceasing participation in the Fund.

Scheme members

Active Scheme members are required to make contributions into the Fund as set by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Fund Actuary

The Fund Actuary for the Fund is Barnett Waddingham LLP. The main responsibilities of the Fund Actuary are to:

• Prepare valuations including the setting of employers’ contribution rates at a level to ensure Fund solvency and long-term cost efficiency after agreeing assumptions with the administering authority and having regard to the FSS and the Regulations;

• Prepare advice and calculations in connection with bulk transfers and the funding aspects of individual benefit-related matters such as pension strain costs, ill-health retirement costs, compensatory added years costs, etc;

• Provide advice and valuations on the exiting of employers from the Fund; • Provide advice and valuations relating to new employers, including recommending the level of

bonds or other forms of security required to protect the Fund against the financial effect of employer default;

• Assist the administering authority in assessing whether employer contributions need to be revised between valuations as permitted or required by the Regulations;

• Ensure that the administering authority is aware of any professional guidance or other professional requirements which may be of relevance to their role in advising the Fund; and

• Advise on other actuarial matters affecting the financial position of the Fund.

Funding strategy

The factors affecting the Fund’s finances are constantly changing, so it is necessary for its financial position and the contributions payable to be reviewed from time to time by means of an actuarial valuation to check that the funding objectives are being met.


The most recent actuarial valuation of the Fund was carried out as at 31 March 2019. The funding position is set out in the table below:

Surplus (Deficit) (£186m)

Funding Level (94%)

On a whole Fund level, the primary rate required to cover the employer cost of future benefit accrual was 18.2% of payroll p.a.

The individual employer contribution rates are set out in the Rates and Adjustments Certificate which forms part of the Fund’s 2019 valuation report.

The actuarial valuation involves a projection of future cashflows to and from the Fund. The main purpose of the valuation is to determine the level of employers’ contributions that should be paid to ensure that the existing assets and future contributions will be sufficient to meet all future benefit payments from the Fund. A summary of the methods and assumptions adopted is set out in the sections below.

Funding method

The key objective in determining employers’ contribution rates is to establish a funding target and then set levels of employer contribution rates to meet that target over an agreed period.

The funding target is to have sufficient assets in the Fund to meet the accrued liabilities for each employer in the Fund.

For all employers, the method adopted is to consider separately the benefits accrued before the valuation date (past service) and benefits expected to be accrued after the valuation date (future service). These are evaluated as follows:

• The past service funding level of the Fund. This is the ratio of accumulated assets to liabilities in respect of past service. It makes allowance for future increases to members’ pay and pensions. A funding level in excess of 100% indicates a surplus of assets over liabilities; while a funding level of less than 100% indicates a deficit; and

• The future service funding rate (also referred to as the primary rate as defined in Regulation 62(5) of the Regulations) is the level of contributions required from the individual employers which, in combination with employee contributions, is expected to cover the cost of benefits accruing in future.

The adjustment required to the primary rate to calculate an employer’s total contribution rate is referred to as the secondary rate, as defined in Regulation 62(7). Further details of how the secondary rate is calculated for employers is given below in the Deficit recovery/surplus amortisation periods section.

The approach to the primary rate will depend on specific employer circumstances and in particular may depend on whether an employer is an “open” employer – one which allows new recruits access to the Fund, or a “closed” employer – one which no longer permits new staff access to the Fund. The expected period of participation by an employer in the Fund may also affect the total contribution rate.

For open employers, the actuarial funding method that is adopted is known as the Projected Unit Method. The key feature of this method is that, in assessing the future service cost, the primary rate represents the cost of one year’s benefit accrual only.


For closed employers, the actuarial funding method adopted is known as the Attained Age Method. The key difference between this method and the Projected Unit Method is that the Attained Age Method assesses the average cost of the benefits that will accrue over a specific period, such as the length of a contract or the remaining expected working lifetime of active members.

The approach by employer may vary to reflect an employer’s specific circumstance, however, in general the closed employers in the Fund are admission bodies who have joined the Fund as part of an outsourcing contract and therefore the Attained Age Method is used in setting their contributions. All other employers (for example councils, higher education bodies and academies) are generally open employers and therefore the Projected Unit Method is used. The administering authority holds details of the open or closed status of each employer.

Valuation assumptions and funding model

In completing the actuarial valuation it is necessary to formulate assumptions about the factors affecting the Fund's future finances such as price inflation, pay increases, investment returns, rates of mortality, early retirement and staff turnover etc.

The assumptions adopted at the valuation can therefore be considered as:

• The demographic (or statistical) assumptions which are essentially estimates of the likelihood or timing of benefits and contributions being paid, and

• The financial assumptions which will determine the estimates of the amount of benefits and contributions payable and their current (or present) value.

Future price inflation

The base assumption in any valuation is the future level of price inflation over a period commensurate with the duration of the liabilities, as measured by the Retail Price Index (RPI). This is derived using the 20-year point on the Bank of England implied Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation curve, with consideration of the market conditions over the six months straddling the valuation date. The 20-year point on the curve is taken to be consistent with the average duration of an LGPS Fund.

Future pension increases

Pension increases are linked to changes in the level of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Inflation as measured by the CPI has historically been less than RPI due mainly to different calculation methods. A deduction of 1.0% p.a. is therefore made to the RPI inflation assumption to derive the CPI inflation assumption.

Future pay increases

As some of the benefits are linked to pay levels at retirement, it is necessary to make an assumption as to future levels of pay increases. Historically, there has been a close link between price inflation and pay increases with pay increases exceeding price inflation in the longer term. The long-term pay increase assumption adopted as at 31 March 2019 was CPI inflation plus 1.0% p.a. which includes allowance for promotional increases.

Future investment returns/discount rate

To determine the value of accrued liabilities and derive future contribution requirements it is necessary to discount future payments to and from the Fund to present day values.


The discount rate that is applied to all projected liabilities reflects a prudent estimate of the rate of investment return that is expected to be earned from the Fund’s long-term investment strategy by considering average market yields in the six months straddling the valuation date. The discount rate so determined may be referred to as the “ongoing” discount rate.

It may be appropriate for an alternative discount rate approach to be taken to reflect an individual employer’s situation. This may be, for example, to reflect an employer targeting a cessation event or to reflect the administering authority’s views on the level of risk that an employer poses to the Fund. The Fund Actuary will incorporate any such adjustments after consultation with the administering authority.

A summary of the financial assumptions adopted for the 2019 valuation is set out in the table below:

Financial assumptions as at 31 March 2019 RPI inflation 3.6% CPI inflation 2.6% Pension/deferred pension increases and CARE revaluation In line with CPI inflation Pay increase CPI inflation + 1.0% p a Discount rate 4.8% p a

Asset valuation

For the purpose of the valuation, the asset value used is the market value of the accumulated fund at the valuation date, adjusted to reflect average market conditions during the six months straddling the valuation date. This is referred to as the smoothed asset value and is calculated as a consistent approach to the valuation of the liabilities.

The Fund’s assets are notionally allocated to employers at an individual level by allowing for actual Fund returns achieved on the assets and cashflows paid into and out of the Fund in respect of each employer (e.g. contributions received, and benefits paid).

Demographic assumptions

The demographic assumptions incorporated into the valuation are based on Fund-specific experience and national statistics, adjusted as appropriate to reflect the individual circumstances of the Fund and/or individual employers.

Further details of the assumptions adopted are included in the Fund’s 2019 valuation report.

McCloud/Sargeant judgements

The McCloud/Sargeant judgements were in relation to two employment tribunal cases which were brought against the Government in relation to possible age and gender discrimination in the implementation of transitional protection following the introduction of the reformed 2015 public service pension schemes from 1 April 2015. These judgements were not directly in relation to the LGPS, however, do have implications for the LGPS.

In December 2018, the Court of Appeal ruled that the transitional protection offered to some members as part of the reforms amounted to unlawful discrimination. On 27 June 2019 the Supreme Court denied the Government’s request for an appeal in the case. A remedy is still to be either imposed by the Employment Tribunal or negotiated and applied to all public service schemes, so it is not yet clear how this judgement may affect LGPS members’ past or future service benefits. It has, however, been noted by Government in its 15 July 2019 statement that it expects to have to amend all public service schemes, including the LGPS.


Further details of this can be found below in the Regulatory risks section.

At the time of drafting this FSS, it is still unclear how this will affect current and future LGPS benefits. As part of the Fund’s 2019 valuation, in order to mitigate the risk of member benefits being uplifted and becoming more expensive, the potential impact of McCloud was covered by the prudence allowance in the discount rate assumption. As the remedy is still to be agreed the cost cannot be calculated with certainty, however, the Fund Actuary expects it is likely to be less than 0.05% of the discount rate assumption.

Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) indexation and equalisation

As part of the restructuring of the state pension provision, the Government needs to consider how public service pension payments should be increased in future for members who accrued a Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) from their public service pension scheme and expect to reach State Pension Age (SPA) post-December 2018. In addition, a resulting potential inequality in the payment of public service pensions between men and women needs to be addressed. Information on the current method of indexation and equalisation of public service pension schemes can be found online.

On 22 January 2018, the Government published the outcome to its Indexation and equalisation of GMP in public service pension schemes consultation, concluding that the requirement for public service pension schemes to fully price protect the GMP element of individuals’ public service pension would be extended to those individuals reaching SPA before 6 April 2021. HMT published a Ministerial Direction on 4 December 2018 to implement this outcome, with effect from 6 April 2016. Details of this outcome and the Ministerial Direction can be found online.

The 2019 valuation assumption for GMP is that the Fund will pay limited increases for members that have reached SPA by 6 April 2016, with the Government providing the remainder of the inflationary increase. For members that reach SPA after this date, it is assumed that the Fund will be required to pay the entire inflationary increase.

Deficit recovery/surplus amortisation periods

Whilst one of the funding objectives is to build up sufficient assets to meet the cost of benefits as they accrue, it is recognised that at any particular point in time, the value of the accumulated assets will be different to the value of accrued liabilities, depending on how the actual experience of the Fund differs to the actuarial assumptions. This theory applies down to an individual employer level; each employer in the Fund has their own share of deficit or surplus attributable to their section of the Fund.

Where the valuation for an employer discloses a deficit then the level of required employer contributions includes an adjustment to fund the deficit over a maximum period of 15 years. Shorter recovery periods have been used for the majority of employers. The adjustment may be set either as a percentage of payroll or as a fixed monetary amount.

Where the valuation for an employer discloses a surplus then the level of required employer contribution may include an adjustment to amortise the surplus over a minimum period of 11 years.

Where an employer's contribution has to increase significantly then, if appropriate, the increase may be phased in over a period not exceeding 3 years.

The deficit recovery period or amortisation period that is adopted for any particular employer will depend on:

• The significance of the surplus or deficit relative to that employer’s liabilities;

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/indexation-and-equalisation-of-gmp-in-public-service-pension-schemes/consultation-on-indexation-and-equalisation-of-gmp-in-public-service-pension-schemes

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/indexation-of-public-service-pensions


• The covenant of the individual employer (including any security in place) and any limited period of participation in the Fund;

• The remaining contract length of an employer in the Fund (if applicable); and • The implications in terms of stability of future levels of employers’ contribution.

Pooling of individual employers

The policy of the Fund is that each individual employer should be responsible for the costs of providing pensions for its own employees who participate in the Fund. Accordingly, contribution rates are set for individual employers to reflect their own particular circumstances.

However, certain groups of individual employers are pooled for the purposes of determining contribution rates to recognise common characteristics or where the number of Scheme members is small.

The funding pools adopted for the Fund at the 2019 valuation are summarised in the table below:

Buckinghamshire Council

Past and future service pooling

All employers in the pool pay the same total contributions rate and have the same funding level

Milton Keynes Council



Thames Valley Police



Academies Past and future service pooling

All academies in the pool have the same funding level. Slightly different contribution rates are paid by Bucks and Milton Keynes academies over 2020-2022, converging to the same rate payable from 1 April 2022

Town and Parish Council Pool


All employers in the pool have the same funding level and target the same total contribution rate. Some employers in the pool are stepping up to this target contribution rate over the valuation period

The main purpose of pooling is to produce more stable employer contribution levels, although recognising that ultimately there will be some level of cross-subsidy of pension cost amongst pooled employers.

Forming/disbanding a funding pool

Where the Fund identifies a group of employers with similar characteristics and potential merits for pooling, it is possible to form a pool for these employers. Advice should be sought from the Fund Actuary to consider the appropriateness and practicalities of forming the funding pool.

Conversely, the Fund may consider it no longer appropriate to pool a group of employers. This could be due to divergence of previously similar characteristics or an employer becoming a dominant party in the pool (such that the results of the pool are largely driven by that dominant employer). Where this scenario arises, advice should be sought from the Fund Actuary.

Funding pools should be monitored on a regular basis, at least at each actuarial valuation, in order to ensure the pooling arrangement remains appropriate.

New employers joining the Fund

When a new employer joins the Fund, the Fund Actuary is required to set the contribution rates payable by


the new employer and allocate a share of Fund assets to the new employer as appropriate. The most common types of new employers joining the Fund are admission bodies and new academies. These are considered in more detail below.

Admission bodies

New admission bodies in the Fund are commonly a result of a transfer of staff from an existing employer in the Fund to another body (for example as part of a transfer of services from a council or academy to an external provider under Schedule 2 Part 3 of the Regulations). Typically these transfers will be for a limited period (the contract length), over which the new admission body employer is required to pay contributions into the Fund in respect of the transferred members.

Funding at start of contract

Generally, when a new admission body joins the Fund, they will become responsible for all the pensions risk associated with the benefits accrued by transferring members and the benefits to be accrued over the contract length. This is known as a full risk transfer. In these cases, it may be appropriate that the new admission body is allocated a share of Fund assets equal to the value of the benefits transferred, i.e. the new admission body starts off on a fully funded basis. This is calculated on the relevant funding basis and the opening position may be different when calculated on an alternative basis (e.g. on an accounting basis).

However, there may be special arrangements made as part of the contract such that a full risk transfer approach is not adopted. In these cases, the initial assets allocated to the new admission body will reflect the level of risk transferred and may therefore not be on a fully funded basis or may not reflect the full value of the benefits attributable to the transferring members.

Contribution rate

The contribution rate may be set on an open or a closed basis. Where the funding at the start of the contract is on a fully funded basis then the contribution rate will represent the primary rate only; where there is a deficit allocated to the new admission body then the contribution rate will also incorporate a secondary rate with the aim of recovering the deficit over an appropriate recovery period.

Depending on the details of the arrangement, for example if any risk sharing arrangements are in place, then additional adjustments may be made to determine the contribution rate payable by the new admission body. The approach in these cases will be bespoke to the individual arrangement.

Security

To mitigate the risk to the Fund that a new admission body will not be able to meet its obligations to the Fund in the future, the new admission body may be required to put in place a bond in accordance with Schedule 2 Part 3 of the Regulations, if required by the letting authority and administering authority.

If, for any reason, it is not desirable for a new admission body to enter into a bond, the new admission body may provide an alternative form of security which is satisfactory to the administering authority.

Risk-sharing

Although a full risk transfer (as set out above) is most common, subject to agreement with the administering authority where required, new admission bodies and the relevant letting authority may make a commercial agreement to deal with the pensions risk differently. For example, it may be agreed


that all or part of the pensions risk remains with the letting authority.

Although pensions risk may be shared, it is common for the new admission body to remain responsible for pensions costs that arise from:

above average pay increases, including the effect on service accrued prior to contract commencement; and

• redundancy and early retirement decisions.

The administering authority may consider risk-sharing arrangements as long as the approach is clearly documented in the admission agreement, the transfer agreement or any other side agreement. The arrangement also should not lead to any undue risk to the other employers in the Fund.

Legal and actuarial advice in relation to risk-sharing arrangements should be sought where required.

New academies

When a school converts to academy status, the new academy (or the sponsoring multi-academy trust) becomes a Scheme employer in its own right.

Funding at start

On conversion to academy status, the new academy will become part of the Academies funding pool and will be allocated assets based on the funding level of the pool at the conversion date.

Contribution rate

The contribution rate payable when a new academy joins the Fund will be in line with the contribution rate certified for the relevant section of the Academies funding pool at the 2019 valuation.

Cessation valuations

When a Scheme employer exits the Fund and becomes an exiting employer, as required under the Regulations the Fund Actuary will be asked to carry out an actuarial valuation in order to determine the liabilities in respect of the benefits held by the exiting employer’s current and former employees. The Fund Actuary is also required to determine the exit payment due from the exiting employer to the Fund or the exit credit payable from the Fund to the exiting employer.

Any deficit in the Fund in respect of the exiting employer will be due to the Fund as a single lump sum payment, unless it is agreed by the administering authority and the other parties involved that an alternative approach is permissible. For example:

• It may be agreed with the administering authority that the exit payment can be spread over some agreed period;

• the assets and liabilities relating to the employer may transfer within the Fund to another participating employer; or

• the employer’s exit may be deferred subject to agreement with the administering authority, for example if it intends to offer Scheme membership to a new employee within the following three years.

Similarly, any surplus in the Fund in respect of the exiting employer may be treated differently to a payment of an exit credit, subject to the agreement between the relevant parties and any legal


documentation.

In assessing the value of the liabilities attributable to the exiting employer, the Fund Actuary may adopt differing approaches depending on the employer and the specific details surrounding the employer’s cessation scenario.

Regulatory factors

At the date of drafting this FSS, the Government is currently consulting on potential changes to the Regulations, some which may affect the regulations surrounding an employer’s exit from the Fund. This is set out in the Local government pension scheme: changes to the local valuation cycle and the management of employer risk consultation document.

Further details of this can be found in the Regulatory risks section below.

Bulk transfers

Bulk transfers of staff into or out of the Fund can take place from other LGPS Funds or non-LGPS Funds. In either case, the Fund Actuary for both Funds will be required to negotiate the terms for the bulk transfer – specifically the terms by which the value of assets to be paid from one Fund to the other is calculated.

The agreement will be specific to the situation surrounding each bulk transfer but in general the Fund will look to receive the bulk transfer on no less than a fully funded transfer (i.e. the assets paid from the ceding Fund are sufficient to cover the value of the liabilities on the agreed basis).

A bulk transfer may be required by an issued Direction Order. This is generally in relation to an employer merger, where all the assets and liabilities attributable to the transferring employer in its original Fund are transferred to the receiving Fund.

Links with the Investment Strategy Statement (ISS)

The main link between the Funding Strategy Statement (FSS) and the ISS relates to the discount rate that underlies the funding strategy as set out in the FSS, and the expected rate of investment return which is expected to be achieved by the long-term investment strategy as set out in the ISS.

As explained above, the ongoing discount rate that is adopted in the actuarial valuation is derived by considering the expected return from the long-term investment strategy. This ensures consistency between the funding strategy and investment strategy.

Risks and counter measures

Whilst the funding strategy attempts to satisfy the funding objectives of ensuring sufficient assets to meet pension liabilities and stable levels of employer contributions, it is recognised that there are risks that may impact on the funding strategy and hence the ability of the strategy to meet the funding objectives.

The major risks to the funding strategy are financial, although there are other external factors including demographic risks, regulatory risks and governance risks.

Financial risks

The main financial risk is that the actual investment strategy fails to produce the expected rate of investment return (in real terms) that underlies the funding strategy. This could be due to a number of


factors, including market returns being less than expected and/or the fund managers who are employed to implement the chosen investment strategy failing to achieve their performance targets.

The valuation results are most sensitive to the real discount rate (i.e. the difference between the discount rate assumption and the price inflation assumption). Broadly speaking an increase/decrease of 0.5% p.a. in the real discount rate will decrease/increase the valuation of the liabilities by 10%, and decrease/increase the required employer contribution by around 2.5% of payroll p.a.

However, the Investment and Pension Fund Committee regularly monitors the investment returns achieved by the fund managers and receives advice from the independent advisers and officers on investment strategy.

The Committee may also seek advice from the Fund Actuary on valuation related matters.

In addition, the Fund Actuary provides funding updates between valuations to check whether the funding strategy continues to meet the funding objectives.

Demographic risks

Allowance is made in the funding strategy via the actuarial assumptions for a continuing improvement in life expectancy. However, the main demographic risk to the funding strategy is that it might underestimate the continuing improvement in longevity. For example, an increase of one year to life expectancy of all members in the Fund will reduce the funding level by approximately 1%.

The actual mortality of pensioners in the Fund is monitored by the Fund Actuary at each actuarial valuation and assumptions are kept under review. For the past two funding valuations, the Fund has commissioned a bespoke longevity analysis by Barnett Waddingham’s specialist longevity team in order to assess the mortality experience of the Fund and help set an appropriate mortality assumption for funding purposes.

The liabilities of the Fund can also increase by more than has been planned as a result of the additional financial costs of early retirements and ill-health retirements. However, the administering authority monitors the incidence of early retirements; and procedures are in place that require individual employers to pay additional amounts into the Fund to meet any additional costs arising from early retirements.

Maturity risk

The maturity of a Fund (or of an employer in the Fund) is an assessment of how close on average the members are to retirement (or already retired). The more mature the Fund or employer, the greater proportion of its membership that is near or in retirement. For a mature Fund or employer, the time available to generate investment returns is shorter and therefore the level of maturity needs to be considered as part of setting funding and investment strategies.

The cashflow profile of the Fund needs to be considered alongside the level of maturity: as a Fund matures, the ratio of active to pensioner members falls, meaning the ratio of contributions being paid into the Fund to the benefits being paid out of the Fund also falls. This therefore increases the risk of the Fund having to sell assets in order to meets its benefit payments.

The Government has published a consultation (Local government pension scheme: changes to the local valuation cycle and management of employer risk) which may affect the Fund’s exposure to maturity risk. More information on this can be found in the Regulatory risks section below.

Regulatory risks


The benefits provided by the Scheme and employee contribution levels are set out in Regulations determined by central government. The tax status of the invested assets is also determined by the Government.

The funding strategy is therefore exposed to the risks of changes in the Regulations governing the Scheme and changes to the tax regime which may affect the cost to individual employers participating in the Scheme.

However, the administering authority participates in any consultation process of any proposed changes in Regulations and seeks advice from the Fund Actuary on the financial implications of any proposed changes.

There are a number of general risks to the Fund and the LGPS, including:

• If the LGPS was to be discontinued in its current form it is not known what would happen to members’ benefits.

• The potential effects of GMP equalisation between males and females, if implemented, are not yet known.

• More generally, as a statutory scheme the benefits provided by the LGPS or the structure of the scheme could be changed by the Government.

• The State Pension Age is due to be reviewed by the Government in the next few years.

At the time of preparing this FSS, specific regulatory risks of particular interest to the LGPS are in relation to the McCloud/Sargeant judgements, the cost cap mechanism and the timing of future funding valuations consultation. These are discussed in the sections below.

McCloud/Sargeant judgements and cost cap

The 2016 national Scheme valuation was used to determine the results of HM Treasury’s (HMT) employer cost cap mechanism for the first time. The HMT cost cap mechanism was brought in after Lord Hutton’s review of public service pensions with the aim of providing protection to taxpayers and employees against unexpected changes (expected to be increases) in pension costs. The cost control mechanism only considers “member costs”. These are the costs relating to changes in assumptions made to carry out valuations relating to the profile of the Scheme members; e.g. costs relating to how long members are expected to live for and draw their pension. Therefore, assumptions such as future expected levels of investment returns and levels of inflation are not included in the calculation, so have no impact on the cost management outcome.

The 2016 HMT cost cap valuation revealed a fall in these costs and therefore a requirement to enhance Scheme benefits from 1 April 2019. However, as a funded Scheme, the LGPS also had a cost cap mechanism controlled by the Scheme Advisory Board (SAB) in place and HMT allowed SAB to put together a package of proposed benefit changes in order for the LGPS to no longer breach the HMT cost cap. These benefit changes were due to be consulted on with all stakeholders and implemented from 1 April 2019.

However, on 20 December 2018 there was a judgement made by the Court of Appeal which resulted in the Government announcing their decision to pause the cost cap process across all public service schemes. This was in relation to two employment tribunal cases which were brought against the Government in relation to possible discrimination in the implementation of transitional protection following the introduction of the reformed 2015 public service pension schemes from 1 April 2015. Transitional protection enabled some members to remain in their pre-2015 schemes after 1 April 2015 until retirement or the end of a pre-determined tapered protection period. The claimants challenged the transitional protection arrangements on the grounds of direct age discrimination, equal pay and indirect gender and


race discrimination.

The first case (McCloud) relating to the Judicial Pension Scheme was ruled in favour of the claimants, while the second case (Sargeant) in relation to the Fire scheme was ruled against the claimants. Both rulings were appealed and as the two cases were closely linked, the Court of Appeal decided to combine the two cases. In December 2018, the Court of Appeal ruled that the transitional protection offered to some members as part of the reforms amounts to unlawful discrimination. On 27 June 2019 the Supreme Court denied the Government’s request for an appeal in the case. A remedy is still to be either imposed by the Employment Tribunal or negotiated and applied to all public service schemes, so it is not yet clear how this judgement may affect LGPS members’ past or future service benefits. It has, however, been noted by Government in its 15 July 2019 statement that it expects to have to amend all public service schemes, including the LGPS.

At the time of drafting this FSS, it is not yet known what the effect on the current and future LGPS benefits will be.

Consultation: Local government pension scheme: changes to the local valuation cycle and management of employer risk

On 8 May 2019, the Government published a consultation seeking views on policy proposals to amend the rules of the LGPS in England and Wales. The consultation covered:

• Amendments to the local fund valuations from the current three-year (triennial) to a four year (quadrennial) cycle;

• A number of measures aimed at mitigating the risks of moving from a triennial to a quadrennial cycle;

• Proposals for flexibility on exit payments; • Proposals for further policy changes to exit credits; and • Proposals for changes to the employers required to offer LGPS membership.

The consultation is currently ongoing: the consultation was closed to responses on 31 July 2019 and an outcome is now awaited. This FSS will be revisited once the outcome is known and reviewed where appropriate.

Timing of future actuarial valuations

LGPS valuations currently take place on a triennial basis which results in employer contributions being reviewed every three years. In September 2018 it was announced by the Chief Secretary to HMT, Elizabeth Truss, that the national Scheme valuation would take place on a quadrennial basis (i.e. every four years) along with the other public sector pension schemes. This results of the national Scheme valuation are used to test the cost control cap mechanism and HMT believed that all public sector scheme should have the cost cap test happen at the same time with the next quadrennial valuation in 2020 and then 2024.

Managing employer exits from the Fund

The consultation covers:

Proposals for flexibility on exit payments. This includes: • Formally introducing into the Regulations the ability for the administering authority to allow an

exiting employer to spread the required exit payment over a fixed period. • Allowing employers with no active employers to defer payment of an exit payment in return for an


ongoing commitment to meeting their existing liabilities (deferred employer status). • Proposals for further policy changes to exit credits. The proposed change would require the exiting

employer’s exposure to risk to be taken into account in calculating any exit credit due (for example a pass-through employer who is not responsible for any pensions risk would likely not be due an exit credit if the amendments are made to the Regulations).

Changes to employers required to offer LGPS membership

At the time of drafting this FSS, under the current Regulations further education corporations, sixth form college corporations and higher education corporations in England and Wales are required to offer membership of the LGPS to their non-teaching staff.

With consideration of the nature of the LGPS and the changes in nature of the further education and higher education sectors, the Government has proposed to remove the requirement for further education corporations, sixth form college corporations and higher education corporations in England to offer new employees access to the LGPS. Given the significance of these types of employers in the Fund (5% of total liabilities) this could impact on the level of maturity of the Fund and the cashflow profile. For example, increased risk of contribution income being insufficient to meet benefit outgo, if not in the short term then in the long term as the payroll in respect of these types of employers decreases with fewer and fewer active members participating in the Fund.

This also brings an increased risk to the Fund in relation to these employers becoming exiting employers in the Fund. Should they decide not to admit new members to the Fund, the active membership attributable to the employers will gradually reduce to zero, triggering an exit under the Regulations and a potential significant exit payment. This has the associated risk of the employer not being able to meet the exit payment and thus the exit payment falling to the other employers in the Fund.

Employer risks

Many different employers participate in the Fund. Accordingly, it is recognised that a number of employer-specific events could impact on the funding strategy including:

• Structural changes in an individual employer’s membership; • An individual employer deciding to close the Scheme to new employees; and • An employer ceasing to exist without having fully funded their pension liabilities.

However, the administering authority monitors the position of employers participating in the Fund, particularly those which may be susceptible to the events outlined and takes advice from the Fund Actuary when required.

In the case of admitted bodies, the Fund has a policy of requiring some form of security from the employer, in the form of a guarantee or a bond, in case of employer default where the risk falls to the Fund. Where the risk of default falls on the liabilities of an original letting authority, the Fund provides advice to the letting authority to enable them to make a decision on whether a guarantee, some other form of security or a bond should be required.

In addition, the administering authority keeps in close touch with all individual employers participating in the Fund to ensure that, as administering authority, it has the most up to date information available on individual employer situations. It also keeps individual employers briefed on funding and related issues.

Governance risks


Accurate data is necessary to ensure that members ultimately receive their correct benefits. The administering authority is responsible for keeping data up to date and results of the actuarial valuation depend on accurate data. If incorrect data is valued, then there is a risk that the contributions paid are not adequate to cover the cost of the benefits accrued.

Monitoring and review

This FSS is reviewed formally, in consultation with the key parties, at least every three years to tie in with the triennial actuarial valuation process.

The most recent valuation was carried out as at 31 March 2019, certifying the contribution rates payable by each employer in the Fund for the period from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2023.

The timing of the next funding valuation is due to be confirmed as part of the Government’s Local government pension scheme: changes to the local valuation cycle and management of employer risk consultation which closed on 31 July 2019. At the time of drafting this FSS, it is anticipated that the next funding valuation will be due as at 31 March 2022 but the period for which contributions will be certified remains unconfirmed.

The administering authority also monitors the financial position of the Fund between actuarial valuations and may review the FSS more frequently if necessary.


Investment Strategy Statement

Introduction The Buckinghamshire Pension Fund (the Fund) is administered by Buckinghamshire Council (the Administering Authority) which is legally responsible for the Fund. In that role the Administering Authority has responsibility to ensure the proper management of the Fund. The Administering Authority delegates its responsibility for administering the Fund to the Pension Fund Committee (the Committee), which is its formal decision-making body. The Committee is responsible for setting strategic asset allocation and monitoring investment performance, having taken advice from professional advisers. Operational implementation of the investment strategy is delegated to Officers. In addition, the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund has an oversight and scrutiny role to ensure good governance through monitoring of the Fund’s performance, activity of the Committee and adherence to statutory duties. The Local Government Pension Scheme (Management and Investment of Funds) Regulations 2016 (the Regulations) require administering authorities to formulate and to publish a statement of its investment strategy, in accordance with guidance issued from time to time by the Secretary of State. This statement sets out the principles that will guide the Committee when making decisions about the investment of the Fund’s assets. It also sets out the framework for investing the Fund’s assets which is consistent with the Funding strategy, as set out in the Funding Strategy Statement. The Investment Strategy Statement is an important governance tool for the Fund, as well as providing transparency in relation to how the Fund’s investments are managed. This statement will be reviewed by the Committee at least triennially or more frequently should any significant change occur. Investment Objectives The primary objective of the Fund is to be efficient, reduce costs and minimise contributions for employers, in order to meet the cost of pension benefits as required by statute. A related objective is to minimise the volatility of employer contribution rates as investment returns vary from employee contributions are invested in accordance with the agreement between the Administering Authority and the Committee. Investment strategy and the process for ensuring suitability of investments. The rate of return assumed within the actuarial valuation together with the long-term nature of the liabilities means the Fund allocates a significant weighting to asset classes with higher expected returns. Such asset classes may introduce volatility in the short term but are ultimately expected to generate higher returns in the long term. The investment strategy considers the expected risk-return profile of each asset class. A management agreement is in place for each fund manager, setting out the relevant benchmark, performance target, asset allocation ranges and any statutory restrictions or other restrictions determined by the Committee (where possible). The Fund’s investment strategy, along with an overview of the role each asset class plays is set out in the table below:


The investment objective of the Fund is to achieve a return that is sufficient to meet the primary funding objective, subject to an appropriate level of risk (implicit in the target) and liquidity. The investment strategy will be reviewed at least every three years to ensure it remains appropriate in light of market conditions and the above objectives. It is the Administering Authority’s current policy that external fund managers are employed to administer the Fund’s assets. Cash balances arising from the receipt of employer and

Asset class Allocation (%) Role(s) within the strategy

Equities 49.0 Generate returns through capital gains and income through exposure to the shares of domestic and overseas companies; indirect links to inflation. The Fund invests in a range of actively and passively managed strategies with different investment styles to gain diversified exposure to global equity markets, using active managers where appropriate and in the expectation that these will add value.

Passive Developed Global

25.0

Active Developed Global

14.0

Low Volatility 5.0

Emerging Markets 5.0

Alternatives 26.0

Diversified Growth 5.0 To deliver returns in excess of cash, with a reasonably low correlation to traditional equity markets and providing a degree of downside protection in periods of equity market stress. Can include allocations to equities, bonds, cash and other assets which are dynamically managed.

Fund of Hedge Funds 5.0 Operates in a range of niche markets, looking to generate returns from unconstrained active management and reduce the volatility of the total portfolio via increased diversification.

Property 8.0 Generate returns through income and capital appreciation via investment in UK property markets, whilst providing some diversification away from equities and bonds.

Private Equity 8.0 Generate returns through privately held assets that are not quoted on a stock market and capture the illiquidity premium available to long-term investors. Diversification of risk and return sources away from more traditional assets.

Private Debt Generate returns through privately negotiated debt used to finance privately owned companies that are not quoted on a stock market. Captures the illiquidity premium available to long-term investors and provides strong capital protection and a high recovery ratio. Diversification of risk and return sources away from more traditional assets.


Infrastructure Generate returns through capital growth and income and provide additional diversification and low correlation to traditional asset classes.

Bonds 25.0

Index-Linked Gilts 10.0 Provide direct protection relative to inflation linked liabilities.

UK Corporate Bonds 15.0 Expected to generate returns above those available on domestic sovereign bonds (gilts) with only marginal increase in risk, whilst providing diversification relative to other asset classes.

Total 100.0

External investment managers are appointed on the Fund’s behalf to deliver the investment strategy. This includes selecting active managers for asset classes where manager skill is expected to enhance the market return and manage risk, to a greater or lesser extent, or where passive options are not available. Passive approaches aim to deliver the market return by replicating the index in a cost and implementation efficient manner.

Asset allocation varies over time through the impact of market movements and cash flows. The overall balance between “growth” assets (equities and alternatives) and “defensive” assets (bonds) is monitored regularly, and if the allocations move away from the 75% growth/25% defensive target, assets will be switched between asset classes in order to maintain the asset distribution as close as possible to the central benchmark. The Committee is responsible for the Fund’s asset allocation which is determined via strategy reviews undertaken as part of the actuarial valuation process. The last review of the investment strategy was in Q1 2020 and was both qualitative and quantitative in nature and was undertaken by the Committee in conjunction with Officers and independent advisers. The review considered:

• The required level of return that will mean the Fund can meet its future benefit obligations as they fall due

• An analysis of the order of magnitude of the various risks facing the Fund • The desire for diversification across asset class, region, sector, and type of security.

Following the latest investment strategy review, the Committee are considering a number of revisions to the long-term investment strategy. These proposals include further increasing diversification within the equity and bond holdings and increasing the allocation to “alternative” assets, in particular private equity, private debt and infrastructure, in order to at least maintain total expected returns whilst reducing risk. Risk measurement and management

The risk and return profile of the assets will be measured against the strategic objective and be considered in the Fund’s capacity as a long-term investor. The main risk to the Fund is the risk that the Fund’s assets do not produce the returns needed to meet the liabilities, as determined by the Funding Strategy Statement. The main risk to the employers is the volatility of the contribution rates, and their affordability. The Committee recognises that, whilst investing in higher risk assets increases potential returns over the long-term, it also increases the risk of a shortfall in returns relative to that required to cover the Fund’s liabilities, as well as producing more short-term volatility in the Funding position. The Fund’s diverse range


of asset classes and approaches is designed to help achieve returns in a variety of market environments. By holding a range of assets across the portfolio that are not perfectly correlated, the Fund expects to reduce the level of risk it is exposed to, whilst increasing the potential to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns. The graph below provides an indication of the main sources of investment risk (estimated by the Fund’s investment consultant) that contribute to the volatility of the Fund’s funding position, as measured by a one year “value at risk” measure at the 5% level. In other words, if we consider a downside scenario which has a 1 in 20 chance of occurring, this would be the minimum impact on the Fund’s assets relative to our “best estimate” of what the asset value would be in a years’ time.

The following risks are also considered by the Committee: (i) Inflation Risk The Fund’s liabilities are impacted by inflation both explicitly and implicitly. The Fund will seek to invest in a range of assets that provide returns in excess of inflation and in some cases provide an inflation-linked income, subject to a tolerable level of volatility. The Committee acknowledge that inflation risk relating to the Fund’s liabilities is managed by the underlying investment managers through a combination of strategies, such as diversification, and investing in assets that move in line with inflation, such as index-linked gilts and infrastructure. (ii) Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) Risk The Committee believes that ESG (including climate change) risks should be taken into account on an ongoing basis. ESG considerations are an integral part of the Fund’s strategy and objective of being a long-term investor. Further details on the Committee’s social, environmental and corporate governance policy can be found further on in this statement. (iii) Governance Risk


This is the risk that Committee members do not have sufficient expertise to evaluate and challenge the advice they receive, particularly given the potential for turnover within the Committee. The Fund recognises the importance of maintaining an appropriate level of knowledge across the Committee. It has taken steps to ensure that Committee members possess an appropriate level of knowledge, skill and understanding to discharge their fiduciary duties by providing appropriate training as and when required. Officers ensure the Committee receives expert advice to support strategic and implementation decisions. In addition, the Committee maintains a Risk Register that is regularly updated and monitored by the Committee.

(iv) Exchange Rate Risk The Fund is subject to exchange rate risk due to the Fund’s investment in sterling priced portfolios which hold underlying investments denominated in foreign currency. There is no currency hedging in place at the strategic level.

(v) Liquidity Risk The Committee recognises the inherent risk of holding illiquid assets that cannot be easily converted into cash. However, given the long-term investment horizon of the Fund it is appropriate to accept liquidity risk where such assets are considered to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns within the context of the overall strategy. The majority of the Fund’s assets are held in liquid instruments and realisable at short notice.

(vi) Cashflow Risk The Fund is becoming more mature and is expected to become cashflow negative over time, meaning that income and disinvestments will be required from the Fund’s investments to meet benefit payments. Monitoring cash flow is critical to the internal monitoring and rebalancing process and has been considered when setting investment strategy.

(vii) Valuation Risk The actuarial valuation assumes that the Fund generates an expected return equal to or in excess of the Fund’s discount rate. An important risk to which the Fund is exposed is that the return is not achieved if the assets do not deliver as expected. This risk is reduced by the diversified investment strategy the Fund employs, through the alignment of the investment strategy with funding requirements through regular reviews, and through regular monitoring.

(viii) Longevity Risk This is the risk that the members of the Fund live longer than assumed in the actuarial valuation model. This risk is captured within the Funding strategy which is monitored by the Committee. Any increase in longevity will only be realised over the long term.

(ix) Employer Covenant Risk There is a risk that employers within the Fund withdraw or lack the financial capacity to make good their outstanding liabilities. The financial capacity and willingness of the sponsoring employers to support the Fund is a key consideration of the Committee and is reviewed on a regular basis.

(x) Regulatory and Political Risk Across all of the Fund’s investments, there is the potential for adverse regulatory or political change. Regulatory risk arises from investing in a market environment where the regulatory regime may change. This may be compounded by political risk in those environments subject to political uncertainty. These risks are managed by diversifying across markets and are monitored by reviewing the investment strategy and specific investment mandates.

5. Approach to asset pooling


The Fund is working with nine other administering authorities to pool investment assets through the Brunel Pension Partnership Ltd. (Brunel). The Fund, through the Committee, retains the responsibility for setting the detailed Strategic Asset Allocation for the Fund and allocating investment assets to the portfolios provided by Brunel. The Brunel Pension Partnership Ltd is a company wholly owned by the Administering Authorities. The company received authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to act as the operator of an unregulated Collective Investment Scheme in March 2018. It is responsible for implementing the detailed Strategic Asset Allocations of the participating Funds by investing Funds’ assets within defined outcome focused investment portfolios. In particular it researches and selects the Manager Operated Funds needed to meet the requirements of the detailed Strategic Asset Allocations. These Manager Operated Funds are managed by professional external investment managers. The Fund is a client of Brunel and as a client has the right to expect certain standards and quality of service. A detailed service agreement is in place which sets out the duties and responsibilities of Brunel, and the rights of the Fund as a client. It includes a duty of care of Brunel to act in its clients’ interests. An Oversight Board has been established. This is comprised of representatives from each of the Administering Authorities. It was set up by them according to an agreed constitution and terms of reference. Acting for the Administering Authorities, it has ultimate responsibility for ensuring that Brunel delivers the services required to achieve investment pooling. It therefore has a monitoring and oversight function. As per the terms of reference, it is able to consider relevant matters on behalf of the Administering Authorities but does not have delegated powers to take decisions requiring shareholder approval. These are remitted back to each Administering Authority individually. The Oversight Board is supported by the Client Group, comprised primarily of pension investment officers drawn from each of the Administering Authorities but also draws on Administering Authorities finance and legal officers from time to time. It has a primary role in reviewing the implementation of pooling by Brunel and provides a forum for discussing technical and practical matters, confirming priorities, and resolving differences. It is responsible for providing practical support to enable the Oversight Board to fulfil its monitoring and oversight function. The arrangements for asset pooling for the Brunel pool were formulated to meet the requirements of the Local Government Pension Scheme (Management and Investment of Funds) Regulations 2016 and Government guidance. Regular reports are made to Government on progress towards the pooling of investment assets. Investment assets have been, and will continue to be, transitioned across from the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund’s existing investment managers to the portfolios managed by Brunel over time. Until such time as transitions take place, the Fund will continue to maintain the relationship with its current investment managers and oversee their investment performance, working in partnership with Brunel where appropriate. Over time, it is envisaged that all of the Fund’s assets will be invested through Brunel however, the Fund has certain commitments to long term illiquid investment funds which will take longer to transition across to the new portfolios set up by Brunel. These assets will be managed in partnership with Brunel until such time as they are liquidated, and capital is returned. Social, environmental and corporate governance policy The Committee has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the Fund’s members and seek to obtain the best financial return that it can for members. This is a fundamental principle; however, the Fund is also mindful of its responsibilities as a long-term shareholder.


The Committee believes that environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors, including climate change, may have a material impact on investment risk and return outcomes, and that good stewardship can create and preserve value for companies and markets as a whole. The Committee recognises that long term sustainability issues present risks and opportunities that increasingly require explicit consideration. The Committee has committed part of the Fund’s assets to an infrastructure portfolio that has a skew towards renewable technologies and infrastructure. Assets have already been invested in a renewable energy company. The Committee does not consider a top-down approach to disinvestment to be an appropriate strategy for reducing climate and carbon risk and contributing towards reducing carbon emissions. Instead, the Committee believes that decarbonising the Fund’s portfolio over time by reducing its exposure to carbon intensive companies and assets and seeking to influence the behaviour of companies through engagement, will have a more beneficial impact. The Fund’s assets are in the process of being transitioned to Brunel. Brunel’s Investment Principles clearly articulate its commitment to be responsible investors, and as such recognises that ESG considerations and climate change are part of the processes in the selection, non-selection, retention and realisation of assets. Brunel is committed to industry and corporate engagement, decarbonising its listed investment portfolios, and being transparent about their carbon intensity. The Committee will continue to develop its beliefs and approach to ESG integration and climate change, and its strategy for decarbonising the Fund’s investment portfolio. The Committee will work with Brunel to ensure that these are implemented, noting that Brunel published a comprehensive Climate Change Policy in January 2020. Each portfolio, in every asset class, under Brunel, explicitly includes responsible investment which includes an assessment of how social, environmental and corporate governance considerations may present financial risks to the delivery of the portfolio objectives. These considerations will therefore be taken into account in the selection, non-selection, retention and realisation of assets. The approach undertaken will vary in order to be the most effective in mitigating risks and enhancing investor value in relation to each portfolio and its objectives.

Policy of the exercise of rights (including voting rights) attaching to investments

The policy of the Committee is to delegate responsibility for the exercising of rights (including voting rights) attaching to investments to the Fund managers although the Committee has retained rights to scrutinise any voting intention. In respect of voting rights, fund managers are asked to take into account the extent to which the company concerned complies with best practice in corporate governance. Forward guidance on stewardship under pooling

Brunel will deliver best practice standards in responsible investment and stewardship as outlined in the Brunel Investment Principles. Advice Taken

In preparing this statement, the Committee has taken advice from Fund Officers, the Fund’s appointed investment consultant, Mercer, and the Client Group at the Brunel Pension Partnership Ltd.


History of the Fund Table 1: Active membership

Table 2: Deferred membership

Table 3: Pensioner membership


Table 4: Contributions received (£millions)

Table 5: Benefits paid (£millions)

Table 6: Fund Value (£millions)


Actuary’s Statement as at 31st March 2020 Introduction

The last full valuation of the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund (the Fund) was carried out as at 31 March 2019 as required under regulation 62 of the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013 (the Regulations) and in accordance with the Funding Strategy Statement of the Fund. The results were published in the triennial valuation report dated 31 March 2020

Asset value and funding level

The results for the Fund at 31 March 2019 were as follows:

• The value of the Fund’s assets as at 31 March 2019 for valuation purposes was £2,989m • The Fund had a funding level of 94% i.e. the assets were 94% of the value that they would have

needed to be for the benefits accrued to that date, based on the assumptions used. This corresponded to a deficit of £186m.

Contribution rates

The employer contribution rates in addition to those paid by the member of the Fund, are set to be sufficient to meet:

• The annual accrual of benefits allowing for future pay increases and increases to pensions in payment these fall due;

• Plus an amount to reflect each participating employer’s notional share of the Fund’s assets compared with 100% of their liabilities in the Fund, in respect of service to the valuation date.

The primary rate of contribution on a whole Fund level was 18.2% of payroll p.a. The primary rate as defined by Regulation 62(5)is the employer’s share of the cost of benefits accruing in each of the three years beginning 1 April 2020.

In addition, further ‘secondary’ contributions were required in order to pay off the Fund’s deficit by no more than 15 years with effect from the 2019 valuation. This secondary rate is based on the particular circumstances and so individual adjustments are made for each employer. The total secondary contributions payable by all employers, present in the Fund as at 31 March 2019, over the three years to 31 March 2023 was estimated to be as follows:

Secondary Contributions

2020/2021 2021/2022 2022/2023

Total as a % of payroll

3.9% 4.0% 4.1%

Equivalent to total monetary amounts of

£18.2m £19.4m £20.6m

In practice, each employer was assessed individually in setting the minimum contributions due from them over the inter-valuation period. Details of each employer’s contribution rate are contained in the Rates and Adjustments Certificate in the triennial valuation report.


Assumptions

The key assumptions used to value the liabilities at 31 March 2019 are summarised below:

Assumptions Assumptions used for the 2019 valuation Financial assumptions Market date 31 March 2019 CPI inflation 2.6% p.a. Long-term salary increases 3.6% p.a. Discount rate 4.8% p.a. Demographic assumptions Post-retirement mortality Male/Female Member base tables S3PA Member mortality multiplier 110%/95% Dependent base tables S3DA Dependent mortality multiplier 95%/80% Projection model CMI 2018 Long-term rate of improvement 1.25% pa Smoothing parameter 7.5 Initial addition to improvements 0.5% pa

The mortality assumptions translate to life expectancies as follows:

Assumed life expectancies at age 65: Average life expectancy for current pensioners- men currently age 65 21.7 years Average life expectancy for current pensioners- women currently age 65 25.0 years Average life expectancy for future pensioners – men currently age 45 23.1 years Average life expectancy for future pensioners- women currently age 45 26.5 years

Full details of the demographic and other assumptions adopted as well as details of the derivation of the financial assumptions used can be found in the 2019 valuation report. Updated position since the 2019 valuation

In terms of investment performance, returns were strong for the first three quarters following the valuation date, however, recent market movements have seen significant falls in equity values. As a 31 March 2020, in market value terms, the Fund assets were significantly less than where they were projected to be based on the previous valuation. The projected liabilities will have increased due to the accrual of new benefits net of benefits paid but offset by lower levels of projected future inflation. However, the potential reduction in the value of liabilities will be offset by lower expected future investment returns reflected in the discount rate underlying the valuation model. On balance, we estimate that the funding position is likely to have fallen slightly when compared on a consistent basis to 31 March 2019. The change in inflation and discount rates is likely to place a lower value on the cost of the future accrual but due to the worsening in funding position, this is likely to be offset by an increase in deficit contributions.


Further investment returns that will be achieved by the Fund in the short term are more uncertain that usual, in particular the return from equities due to actual and potential reductions and suspensions of dividends. There are also the other uncertainties around future benefits, relating to the McCloud and Sargeant cases and the ongoing cost cap management process. We will continue to monitor the impact on the Fund and review the appropriateness of the assumptions used in our funding model. Graeme D Muir, FFA Partner, Barnett Waddingham


Statement of Responsibilities for the Statement of Accounts The Council’s Responsibilities

The Council is required to:

• Make arrangements for the proper administration of its financial affairs and to ensure that one of its officers has the responsibility for the administration of those affairs. In this Council, that officer is the Director of Finance & Procurement;

• Manage its affairs to secure economic, efficient and effective use of resources and safeguard its assets;

Approve the Statement of Accounts, delegated to the Regulatory and Audit Committee. The Director of Finance & Procurement Responsibilities The Director of Finance & Procurement is responsible for the preparation of the Council’s Statement of Accounts in accordance with proper practices as set out in the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2019/2020 (the Code). In preparing this Statement of Accounts, the Director of Finance & Procurement has:

• Selected suitable accounting policies and then applied them consistently; • Made judgements and estimates that were reasonable and prudent; • Complied with the Code; • Kept proper accounting records which were up to date; • Taken reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Certificate of the Director of Finance & Procurement I certify that this draft Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2020 gives a true and fair view of the financial position of the Council as at 31 March 2020 and its income and expenditure for the year ending 31 March 2020

Richard Ambrose Director of Finance & Procurement Buckinghamshire Council 21 May 2020


Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of BPF To follow when available.


Pension Fund Accounts The Pension Fund Accounts contain two core statements, the Pension Fund Account and the Net Assets Statement. Each of the statements is accompanied by supplementary notes providing additional detail to the figures presented.

31 March 2019

£000

Pension Fund Account Note 31 March 2020

£000 Dealings with Members, Employers and Others directly

Involved in the Fund

Income

(137,260) Contributions 3 (116,621) (11,349) Transfers in from other pension funds 4 (12,403)

(163) Other income (152) (148,772) (129,176)

Benefits 5

90,860 Pensions 95,975 21,210 Commutation of pensions and lump sums 23,045

Payments to and on Account of Leavers

6

804 Refunds of contributions 878 11,736 Transfers out to other pension funds 9,311

124,610 129,209 (24,162) Net (Additions)/Withdrawals from Dealings with Members 33

16,237 Management expenses 7 16,474

(7,925) Net (Additions)/Withdrawals including Fund Management

Expenses 16,507

Returns on Investments

(47,693) Investment income 8 (40,527) (129,727) Profits and losses on disposal of investments and changes in the

market value of investments 9 116,993

471 Taxes on income 16 351 (176,949) Net Returns on Investments 76,817 (184,874) Net (Increase)/Decrease in the Net Assets Available for

Benefits During the Year 93,324


Net assets statement 31 March

2019

£000

Net Assets Statement Note 31 March 2020

£000 Investments

840 Long term investments 840 573,933 Equities - quoted 36,849 428,687 Bonds 421,714

1,690,849 Pooled investment vehicles 2,160,297 214,243 Unit trusts - property 213,484

80,693 Cash deposits 61,856 (34) Derivative contracts

10,489 Investment income receivable 7,873

2,999,700

Net Investments

11

2,902,913 21,694 Current assets 15 15,495

(14,370) Current liabilities 15 (4,708) 3,007,024 Net Assets of the Fund Available to Fund Benefits at 31 March 2,913,700

Note: The Fund’s financial statements do not take account of liabilities to pay pensions and other benefits after the period end. The actuarial present value of promised retirement benefits is disclosed at Note 18.


Description of the Fund

Buckinghamshire Pension Fund (the Fund) is part of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and is administered by Buckinghamshire Council. Organisations participating in the Fund include the Council, Milton Keynes Council, the district and parish Councils of Buckinghamshire, Thames Valley Police, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, and other scheduled and admitted bodies. These are listed in Note 21 to these Financial Statements. Teachers, fire fighters and police officers, for whom separate pension schemes apply, are excluded from the Pension Fund. On the 1st April 2020 the Administering Authority Buckinghamshire Council ceased to exist due to the Council and all four District Councils becoming one Unitary Authority, Buckinghamshire Council. Therefore, going forward the Administering Authority is Buckinghamshire Council.

The purpose of the Pension Fund is to provide defined benefits for employees and their widows, widowers and children, based on pay and past service. The scheme is a career average scheme, whereby members accrue benefits based on their pensionable pay in that year at an accrual rate of 1/49th. Employee contribution bands range from 5.5% to 12.5% of pensionable pay. In April 2014 a 50/50 option was introduced which means members can pay half their contribution rate and build up half the pension benefit whilst retaining full value of other scheme benefits such as death in service lump sum and ill health cover. Accrued pension is revised annually in line with the Consumer Prices Index. Prior to 1 April 2014, pension benefits under the LGPS were based on final pensionable pay and length of pensionable service. More details of benefits provided under the scheme are available on the Council’s pension website.

https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/local-government-pension-scheme/scheme-members

The Fund is governed by the Public Service Pensions Act 2013. The Fund is administered in accordance with the following secondary legislation:

• The Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013 (as amended) • The Local Government Pension Scheme (Transitional Provisions, Savings and Amendment)

Regulations 2014 (as amended) • The Local Government Pension Scheme (Management and Investment of Funds) Regulations 2016.

In 2015 the government announced that they wanted the 91 Local Government Pension Scheme funds to pool their investments into larger pools in order to achieve savings in investment management costs. Brunel Pension Partnership Ltd was formed to implement the investment strategies for ten Funds. The founding Funds include The Environment Agency Pension Fund, and the Local Government Funds of Avon, Buckinghamshire, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Somerset and Wiltshire. The company Brunel Pension Partnership Ltd was formed on 14 October 2016. By 31 March 2020 the collective assets transitioned to Brunel portfolios were circa £12 billion.

The objective of pooling assets is to achieve savings over the longer term from both lower investment management costs and more effective management of the investment assets. The pool will look to deliver the savings based upon the collective buying power the collaboration initiative will produce. Local accountability will be maintained as each individual fund will remain responsible for strategic decisions including asset allocation. The pooling of assets will only affect the implementation of the investment strategy in terms of manager appointments. The transition of assets began in July 2018 and by the end of 2021 the majority of the assets will have transitioned, although illiquid alternative assets such as private equity may need a longer transition timetable. More information and updates can be found on the Brunel Pension Partnership website at: www.brunelpensionpartnership.org



http://www.brunelpensionpartnership.org/


The following summarises the membership of the Fund:

Membership of the Fund 31 March 2019 31 March 2020 Contributors 24,141 24,489 Pensioners 19,411 20,290 Deferred pensioners 28,991 29,936 Total Membership of the Fund 72,543 74,715

Investment strategy statement

The Local Government Pension Scheme (Management and Investment of Funds) Regulations 2016 require administering authorities to formulate and to publish a statement of its investment strategy, in accordance with guidance issued from time to time by the Secretary of State. The Investment Strategy Statement can be viewed on the Council’s website.

https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/4515323/2020_04_01-investment-strategy-statement-final.pdf

Further information

The Council publishes a separate Annual Report on the Pension Fund, which gives more detailed information, a copy can be viewed on the Council’s pension website. https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/local-government-pension-scheme/investment/pension-fund-annual-reports/

Basis of Preparation

The accounts summarise the Fund’s transactions for the 2019/2020 financial year and its position at year end as at 31 March 2020. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting (the Code), which is based on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as amended for the UK public sector.

The accounts summarise the transactions of the Fund and report on the net assets available to pay pension benefits. The accounts do not take account of obligations to pay pensions and benefits which fall due after the end of the financial year. The actuarial present value of promised retirement benefits is disclosed at Note 18 of these accounts. The Pension Fund is administered by Buckinghamshire Council, but the Fund balances are not included in Buckinghamshire Council's Balance Sheet. Buckinghamshire Council replaced Buckinghamshire Council as Administering Authority of the Fund on 1 April 2020.

https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/4515323/2020_04_01-investment-strategy-statement-final.pdf

https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/local-government-pension-scheme/investment/pension-fund-annual-reports/

https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/local-government-pension-scheme/investment/pension-fund-annual-reports/


Accounting Policies and Critical Judgement in Applying Accounting Policies

Accounting Policies

Accruals of Income and Expenditure

The financial statements are prepared on an accruals basis, unless otherwise stated. That is, income and expenditure are recognised as they are earned or incurred, not as they are received or paid.

Contributions, benefits and investment income are included on an accruals basis. All settlements for buying and selling investments are accrued on the day of trading. Interest on deposits is accrued if not received by the end of the financial year. Investment management expenses are accounted for on an accruals basis. Administrative expenses are accounted for on an accruals basis, staff costs are paid by Buckinghamshire Council then recharged to the Pension Fund at the year end and group transfers to and from the Fund are accounted for on an accruals basis unless it is too early in the negotiations for an estimate of the value to be available. Where income and expenditure has been recognised but cash has not been received or paid, a debtor or creditor for the relevant amount is recorded in the Net Assets Statement. Some additional payments are made to beneficiaries on behalf of certain employers. These payments are subsequently reimbursed by those employers. The figures contained in the accounts are shown exclusive of both payments and reimbursements.

Employers’ augmentation contributions and pension strain contributions are accounted for in the period in which the liability arises. Individual transfers in/out are accounted for when received/paid, which is normally when the member liability is accepted or discharged.

Investment Income

Interest income is recognised in the Fund account as it accrues, using the effective interest rate of the financial instrument as at the date of acquisition or origination. Income includes the amortisation of any discount or premium, transaction costs (where material) or other differences between the initial carrying amount of the instrument and its amount at maturity calculated on an effective interest rate basis. Investment income is recognised on the date the shares are quoted ex-dividend. Any amount not received by the end of the reporting period is disclosed in the net assets statement as investment income. Distributions from pooled funds are recognised at the date of issue. Any amount not received by the end of the reporting period is disclosed in the net assets statement as a current financial asset. Changes in the net market value of investments are recognised as income and comprise all realised and unrealised profits/losses during the year.

Benefits Payable

Pensions and lump sum benefits payable include all amounts known to be due as at the end of the financial year. Any amounts due but unpaid are disclosed in the net assets statement as current liabilities.

Management Expenses

All management expenses are accounted for on an accruals basis. Fees of the external investment managers and custodian are agreed in the respective mandates governing their appointments. These are based on the market value of the investments under their management and therefore increase or reduce as the value of these investments change.


In addition, the Fund has negotiated with the following managers that an element of their fee be performance related:

• Investec Asset Management – global equities • Royal London Asset Management – bonds • Aberdeen Standard – UK equities

Financial Instruments

Financial Instruments that are “held for trading” are classified as financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss when the financial instrument is:

• Acquired or incurred principally for the purpose of selling or repurchasing it in the near term, or • Part of a portfolio of identified financial instruments that are managed together and for which

there is evidence of a recent actual pattern of short-term profit taking, or • A derivative.

Financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are initially recognised at fair value excluding transaction costs and carried at fair value without any deduction for transaction costs that would be incurred on sale or disposal.

Financial instruments have been classified as Loans and Receivables when they have fixed or determinable payments and are not quoted in an active market. Loans and receivables are initially recognised at Fair Value and carried at historic cost as they are all short term.

The value of market quoted investments is determined by the bid market price ruling on the final day of the accounting period. Fixed interest securities are recorded at net market value based on their current yields. Pooled investments in property funds, equity funds, fixed interest funds, private equity funds and hedge fund of funds are valued by the Fund manager in accordance with industry guidelines. Note 12 includes commentary on the valuation methods that the Fund’s fund managers use.

Foreign Currency Transactions

Foreign currency transactions are translated into sterling at the exchange rate ruling at the date of transaction. End of year spot market exchange rates are used to value cash balances held in foreign currency bank accounts, market values of overseas investments and purchases and sales outstanding at the end of the reporting period.

Derivatives

The Fund uses derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to certain risks arising from its investment activities. The Fund does not hold derivatives for speculative purposes. Currently the Fund only holds forward currency contracts. The future value of the forward currency contracts is based on market forward exchange rates at the year-end date and determined as the gain or loss that would arise if the outstanding contract were matched at the year end with an equal and opposite contract.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash comprises cash in hand and demand deposits. Cash equivalents are short term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and that are subject to minimal risk of changes in value.


Contingent Assets & Liabilities and Commitments

Contingent liabilities are disclosed by way of a note when there is a possible obligation which may require a payment or a transfer of economic benefits. The timing of the economic transfer and the level of certainty attaching to the event are such that it would be inappropriate to make a provision.

Contingent assets are disclosed by way of a note where inflow or a receipt or an economic benefit is possible and whose existence will be confirmed only by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more future events not wholly within the control of the Pension Fund.

Commitments are disclosed by way of a note when there is a contractual commitment which may require a payment. The timing of the payment is such that it would be inappropriate to make a provision. Commitments are accounted for at the best estimate of the obligation.


Critical Judgements in Applying Accounting Policies

Pension Fund Liability

The Fund liability is calculated every three years by the appointed actuary, with annual updates in the intervening years. The last such valuation took place as at 31 March 2019, the Funding level of the Fund as a whole increased from 87% to 94% between 31 March 2016 and 31 March 2019. All employers are projected to be fully funded by no later than 31 March 2035. The next valuation will take place as at 31 March 2022.

Assumptions Made About the Future and Other Major Sources of Estimation Uncertainty

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported for assets and liabilities at the year-end date and the amounts reported for assets and liabilities at the year-end date and the amounts reported for the revenues and expenses during the year. Estimates and assumptions are made taking into account historical experience, current trends and other relevant factors. However, the nature of estimation means that the actual outcomes could differ from the assumptions and estimates.

The items in the net assets statement at 31 March 2020 for which there is a significant risk of material adjustment in the forthcoming financial year are as follows.

Item Uncertainties Effect if actual results differ from assumptions

Actuarial present value of promised retirement benefits (Note 18)

Estimation of the net liability to pay pensions depends on a number of complex judgements relating to the discount rate used, the rate at which salaries are projected to increase, changes in retirement ages, mortality rates and expected returns on pension fund assets. A firm of consulting actuaries is engaged to provide the Fund with expert advice about the assumptions to be applied.

The effects on the net pension liability of changes in individual assumptions can be measured. For instance:

A 0.1% increase in the discount rate assumption would result in a decrease in the pension liability of £95m

A 0.1% increase in assumed earnings inflation would increase the value of liabilities by approximately £7m a one-year increase in assumed life expectancy would increase the liability by approximately £185m.

Private equity fund of funds (Note 12)

Private equity investments are valued at fair value in accordance with ‘International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines (2012)’. These investments are not publicly listed and as such there is a degree of estimation involved in the valuation.

Private equity investments are valued at £143m in the financial statements. There is a risk that this investment may be under or overstated in the accounts by £38m.


Events After The Reporting Date

Since 31 March 2020, the spread of COVID-19 has severely impacted many local economies around the globe. In many countries, organisations are being forced to cease or limit operations for long or indefinite periods of time. Measures taken to contain the spread of the virus, including travel bans, quarantines, social distancing, and closures of Non-essentials services have triggered significant disruptions to organisations worldwide, resulting in an economic slowdown. Global stock markets have also experienced great volatility and significant weakening. Governments and central banks have responded with monetary and fiscal interventions to stabilise economic conditions.

There is potential for a reduction in the Council’s income, in all forms (Business Rates, Council Tax, Service Income from fees, charges and investment returns of all types) and an increase in expenditure in the form of additional costs in response to the pandemic, growth in demand, increases in the price from suppliers, as well as less tangible items such as delays to proposed savings plans as a result of staff being diverted to responding to immediate needs. The Council has determined that these events are non-adjusting subsequent events. Accordingly, the financial position and performance of operations as of and for the year ended 31 March 2020 have not been adjusted to reflect their impact. The duration and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the effectiveness of government and central bank responses, remain unclear at this time. It is not possible to reliably estimate the duration and severity of these consequences, as well as their impact on the financial position and performance of the Council for future periods.

Accounting Standards that have been issued but not yet adopted

The Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom (the Code) requires the disclosure of information relating to the expected impact of an accounting change that will be required by a new standard that has been issued but not yet adopted. Potentially relevant standards include annual improvements to IFRS standards 2014/2016, IFRIC 22 foreign currency transactions and advance considerations and amendments to IFRS9 financial instruments: prepayment features with negative compensation.


Contributions

Contributions relating to wages and salaries paid up to 31 March 2020 have been included in these accounts, there were no augmented employers’ contributions received during 2018/2019 or 2019/2020.

2018/2019 £000

Contributions by Category 2019/2020 £000

Employers’ Contributions (87,302) Normal Contributions (64,063) (19,829) Deficit Recovery Contributions (20,524) (107,131) Total Employers’ Contributions (84,587) (30,129) Members’ Contributions (32,034) (137,260) Total Contributions (116,621)

2018/2019 £000

Contributions by Authority 2019/2020 £000

(40,308) Administering authority (42,780) (92,413) Scheduled bodies (69,752) (4,539) Admitted bodies (4,089) (137,260) Total Contributions (116,621)

Transfer Values

2018/2019 £000

Transfers in from other pension funds 2019/2020 £000

(2,159) Group transfers (2,059) (9,190) Individual transfers (10,344) (11,349) Total Transfers in from other pension funds (12,403)

The individual transfer values relate to transfers, which have been received during the financial year i.e. included on a cash basis. On 31 March 2020 there were 7 outstanding transfer values receivable greater than £50k, for which £1,211k had not been received. (On 31 March 2019 there were two outstanding transfer values receivable greater than £50k, for which £196k had not been received.)

On 31 March 2020 there were 3 group transfers to the Fund being negotiated with other Funds (one on the 31 March 2019), the value of the transfers to the Fund is £2,059k and has been accrued.

Benefit include all valid benefit claims notified during the financial year.

2018/2019 £000

Benefits Payable by Category 2019/2020 £000

90,860 Pensions 95,975 19,321 Commutations of pensions and lump sum retirement benefits 20,532 1,889 Lump sum death benefits 2,513 112,070 Total Benefits 119,020


2018/2019 £000

Benefits Payable by Authority 2019/2020 £000

40,227 Administering authority 41,916 63,044 Scheduled bodies 67,587 8,799 Admitted bodies 9,517 112,070 Total Benefits 119,020

Payments to and on Account of Leavers

2018/2019 £000

Payments to and on Account of Leavers 2019/2020 £000

761 Refunds to members leaving service 903 43 Payments for members joining the state scheme (24) 0 Group transfers to other pension funds 0 11,736 Individual transfers to other pension funds 9,311 12,540 Total Payments to and on Account of Leavers 10,190

The individual transfer values relate to transfers, which have been paid during the financial year i.e. included on a cash basis. On 31 March 2020 there were 0 outstanding individual transfer values payable greater than £50k. On 31 March 2019 there were four outstanding individual transfer values payable greater than £50k, for which £528k had not been paid.

On 31 March 2020 there was 1 group transfer from the Fund being negotiated with other Funds (one on the 31 March 2019); the value of the transfer from the Fund is being negotiated between the Funds’ actuaries. The expenditure in respect of the transfer has not been accrued since negotiations are at too early a stage for an estimate of the value to be available.

Management Expenses

2018/2019 Management Expenses 2019/2020 £000 £000 2,177 Administrative costs 2,203 13,501 Investment management expenses 13,538 559 Oversight and governance costs 733 16,237 Total Management Expenses 16,474

The analysis of the cost of managing the Pension Fund during the period has been prepared in accordance with CIPFA guidance. Management expenses have been categorised as administrative costs, investment management expenses and oversight/governance costs. Included in the oversight and governance costs are the external audit fees, £19k in 2019/2020 (£19k in 2018/2019).

Management fees for pooled funds and transaction costs have been included in the investment management expenses. The investment management expenses include £0.89m (£3.03m in the 2018/2019 financial year) in respect of performance related fees payable to the Fund’s investment managers. It also includes £4.030m in respect of transaction costs (£2.621m in the 2018/2019 financial year).


Investment Income

2018/2019 Investment Income 2019/2020 £000 £000 (23,026) Dividends from equities (15,072) (14,315) Income from bonds (16,137) (162) Income from pooled investments (541) (7,420) Income from property unit trusts (7,262) (903) Interest on cash deposits (770) (1,867) Other (744) (47,693) Total Investment Income (40,526)

Investments

All investments are valued on a fair value basis and where there is an active market the bid price is the appropriate quoted market price. The investment accounting information is provided by State Street, the Fund’s custodian. During 2019/2020 realised profit of £87,619m and unrealised loss of £204,613m combined to report a decrease in the market value of investments of £116,993m.

Investments (All values are shown £000)

Value at 31 March 2019

£000

Reclassification of Assets £000

Purchases at Cost

£000

Sales Proceeds

£000

Realised Profit/ (Loss) £000

Unrealised Profit/ (Loss) £000

Value at 31 March 2020 £000

Long term investments

840 - - - - - 840

Equities - quoted

573,933 - 347,507 (870,319) 22,920 (37,191) 36,850

Bonds 428,687 - 110,978 (110,343) 4,595 (12,204) 421,713 Pooled investment vehicles

1,690,849 - 737,308 (170,102) 58,630 (156,387) 2,160,297

Unit Trusts - property funds

214,243 - 11,057 (6,381) 1,424 (6,859) 213,484

Derivative contracts

(34) - 326 (376) 50 34

Cash deposits

80,693 - - 719,760 44,356 (25,486) 61,856

2,989,211 - 1,207,176 1,184,354 87,619 (204,613) 2,895,041 Investment income due

10,489 7,873

2,999,700 2,902,913

During 2018/2019 realised profit of £324m and unrealised loss of £195m are combined to report an increase in the market value of investments of £129m.


Investments (All values are shown £000)


Reclassification of Assets £000

Purchases at Cost

£000

Sales Proceeds

£000

Realised Profit/ (Loss) £000

Unrealised Profit/ (Loss) £000


Long term investments

840 - - - - - 840

Equities - quoted

883,946 - 458,840 (822,441) 79,231 (25,643) 573,933

Bonds 352,726 - 194,371 (123,385) 2,349 2,626 428,687 Pooled investment vehicles

1,239,939 - 1,308,442 (922,451) 238,483 (173,564) 1,690,849

Unit trusts - property funds

204,534 - 26,351 (18,923) 4,227 (1,946) 214,243

Derivative contracts

102 - 485 (463) (22) (136) (34)

Cash deposits 121,408 - - (44,837) - 4,122 80,693 2,803,495 - 1,988,489 (1,932,50

0) 324,268 (194,541) 2,989,211

Investment income due

9,504 10,489

2,812,999 2,999,700

Pooled investment vehicles are funds where the Pension Fund is not the named owner of specific investments such as shares or bonds but owns a proportion of a pooled fund. The Code requires that pooled investments are analysed between unit trusts, unitised insurance policies and other managed funds. The pooled investment vehicles in the tables above are other managed funds. These funds include the following types of investments:

• Equities • Fixed interest securities • Index linked securities • Hedge fund of funds • Diversified growth funds • Private equity fund of funds

The change in the fair value of investments during the year comprises all increases and decreases in the fair value of investments held at any time during the year, including profits and losses realised on sales of investments during the year. The Fund’s investments in derivatives are not material and therefore further disclosures are not included in the accounts. Indirect costs are incurred through the bid-offer spread on investments within pooled investments.

The Fund does not participate directly in a stock lending programme.

Assets which exceed 5% of the total value of the net assets of the Fund are shown in the table below:


Fund Manager/Mandate Proportion of Fund 31 March 2019 £000

%

Proportion of Fund 31 March 2020 £000

% Investments managed by Brunel Pension Partnership Ltd

World Developed Equities 767,145 26 725,922 25 Global Equities 401,912 14 Investments managed by the Fund LaSalle- Property 221,066 7 222,898 8 Legal & General Investment Management - Passive index-tracker

444,420 15 362,721 12

Royal London Asset Management - Core plus bonds

464,444 15 469,468 16

IFRS accounting requires that the Fund discloses information on fair value hedges, cash flow hedges and hedges of net investments in foreign operations. The Fund has exposure to hedges through its investments in a hedge fund of funds pooled investment vehicle, and so the hedge disclosure is not applicable to this type of investment.


Investment Management Arrangements

Fund manager fees have been calculated according to the specific mandate and the associated contract agreement as shown in the following table:

Fund Manager/Mandate Proportion of Fund 31 March 2019 £000

%

Proportion of Fund 31 March 2020 £000

% Investments managed by Brunel Pension Partnership Ltd

Low Volatility Equities 110,593 4 Passive Developed Equities 767,145 26 725,922 25 Emerging Markets Equities 123,402 4 Global Equities 401,912 14 Infrastructure 5,883 0 11,451 0 Private Equity 1,565 0 14,105 0 Investments managed by the Fund LaSalle - Property 221,066 7 222,898 8 BlackRock -Cash/inflation plus 139,122 5 135,425 5 Blackstone Alternative Asset Management - Hedge fund of funds

156,310 5 146,881 5

Investec Asset Management- Less constrained global equities

258,633 9 1,122 0

Legal & General Investment Management – Passive index-tracker

444,420 15 362,721 12

Mirabaud Investment Management Limited- UK equities

218 0 217 0

Pantheon Private Equity- Private equity 119,040 4 106,965 4 Partners Group- Private equity 24,867 1 21,042 1 Royal London Asset Management- Core plus bonds

464,444 15 469,468 16

Schroders- Less constrained global equities 219,222 7 3,180 0 Aberdeen Standard Investments – Less constrained UK equities

121,985 4 964 0

GTP 884 908 0 Fidelity 588 600 0 Total 2,945,392 98 2,859,776 99


Analysis of the Value of Investments

31 March 2019 £000

Analysis of the Value of Investments 31 March 2020 £000

840 Long Term Investments

Bonds

840

Fixed Interest Securities

0 Overseas public sector 0 279,600 UK other 286,003 86,759 Overseas other 73,474 366,359 Total Fixed Interest Securities 359,477 Index-Linked Securities 51,742 UK Index-linked securities public sector 51,806 10,586 UK Index-linked securities other 10,431 62,328 Total Index-Linked Securities 62,237 428,687 Total Bonds 421,714

Equities

144,069 UK quoted 129 429,864 Overseas quoted 36,720 573,933 Total Equities 36,849 Pooled Investment Vehicles 0 UK Equities 0 379,310 UK Bonds 362,721 864,319 Overseas Equities 1,361,829 139,122 Overseas Diversified Growth Fund 135,421 156,310 Overseas Hedge Fund of Funds 146,881 5,883 Overseas Infrastructure 22,828 145,909 Overseas Private Equities 130,617 1,690,849 Total Pooled Investment vehicles 2,160,297

Other

214,243 Unit Trusts - property funds 213,484 (34) Derivatives 0 80,693 Cash deposits – sterling and foreign cash 61,856 10,489 Investment Income receivable 7,873 305,391 Total Other 283,213 2,999,700 Total Value of Investments 2,902,913


Financial Instruments

The Net Assets of the Fund disclosed in the Net Assets Statement are made up of the following categories of financial instruments:

31 March 2019

31 March 2020

Fair value through profit and loss

Loans And Receivables

Financial Liabilities at Amortised Cost

Fair value through profit and loss

Loans and Receivables

Financial Liabilities at amortised cost

£000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Financial Assets 840 - - Long Term Investments 840 - - 366,359 - - Fixed Interest Securities 359,477 - - 573,931 - - Equities 36,849 - - 62,329 - - Index Linked Securities 62,237 - - 214,243 - - Property – unit trusts 213,484 - - - - - Diversified Growth Fund 135,421 - - - - - Pooled Fixed Interest

Securities 362,721 - -

- - - Pooled Equities 1,361,829 - - 1,690,849 - - Pooled Investments - - - - - - Pooled Infrastructure 22,828 - - - - - Pooled Hedge Funds of

Funds 146,881 - -

- - - Pooled Private Equity 130,618 - - 10,489 - - Investment Income

receivable 7,873 - -

- 80,693 - Cash deposits - 61,856 - - 11,585 - Current assets - 5,182 - 2,919,041 92,278 - 2,841,057 67,038 - Financial Liabilities (34) - - Derivatives - - - - - (13,367) Current liabilities - - (3,721) - - (13,367) - - (3,721) 2,919,007 92,278 (13,367) Total 2,841,057 67,038 (3,721) 2,997,918 2,904,373

31 March 2019 £000

Reconciliation to Net Investments in the Net Assets Statement

31 March 2020 £000

3,007,024 Net Investments 2,913,700 (10,109) Less contributions due current assets (10,313) 1,003 Add HMRC current liabilities 986 2,997,918 Valuation of Financial Instruments carried at fair value 2,904,373


The net gains and losses on financial instruments are shown in the table below.

The code requires that for each class of financial assets and financial liabilities an authority shall disclose the fair value of that class of assets and liabilities in a way that permits it to be compared with its carrying amount. As all investments are disclosed at fair value, carrying value and fair value are therefore the same.

Valuation of Financial Instruments Carried at Fair Value

The valuation of financial instruments has been classified into three levels, according to the quality and reliability of information used to determine fair values.

Level 1: Financial instruments where the fair values are derived from unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, quoted equities are classified as level 1. Listed investments are shown at bid prices. The bid value of the investment is based on the bid market quotation of the relevant stock exchange.

Level 2: Financial instruments where quoted market prices are not available; for example, where an instrument is traded in a market that is not considered to be active, or where valuation techniques are used to determine fair value and where these techniques use inputs that are based significantly on observable market data. Fixed interest securities are traded in an active market and evaluated prices sourced from a valid pricing vendor.

Level 3: Financial instruments at level 3 are those where at least one input that could have a significant effect on the instrument’s valuation is not based on observable market data. Such instruments would include unquoted equity investments and hedge fund of funds, which are valued using various valuation techniques that require significant judgement in determining appropriate assumptions. The values of the investment in private equity are based on valuations provided by the general partners to the private equity fund of funds in which the Fund has invested. These valuations are prepared in accordance with the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines, which follow the valuation principles of IFRS. Valuations are audited annually as at 31 December, and the valuations as at 31 March reflect cash flow transactions since 31 December.

The values of the hedge fund of funds are based on the net asset value provided by the Fund manager. Assurances over the valuation are gained from the independent audit of the value.

The following table analyses financial instruments, measured at fair value at the end of the reporting period, by the level in the fair value hierarchy into which the fair value measurement is categorised:

31 March 2019 £000

31 March 2020 £000

Financial Assets 175,424 Fair value through profit and loss 116,993 2,227 Loans and receivables - - Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost - Financial Liabilities - Fair value through profit and loss - (9,177) Loans and receivables - - Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost - 168,474 Total 116,993



Quoted Market Price Level 1

£000

Using Observable Inputs Level 2 £000

With Significant Unobservable Outputs Level 3 £000

Total £000

Long term investments - - 840 840 Equities 129 36,720 - 36,849 Bonds - 421,714 - 421,714 Diversified Growth Fun - 135,421 - 135,421 Hedge Fund - 146,881 - 146,881 Infrastructure - - 22,828 22,828 Pooled Bonds - 362,721 - 362,721 Pooled Equities - 1,361,829 - 1,361,829 Private Equities - - 130,618 130,618 Property – unit trusts - 213,484 - 213,484 Total 129 2,678,770 154,286 2,833,182

Cash is not included in the analysis of assets held at fair value since it is held at amortised cost, not fair value.

Reconciliation to Net Investments in the 31 March 2020 Net Assets Statement £000 Net Investments 2,902,913 Less Cash deposits (61,856) Less investment income receivable (7,873) Valuation of Financial Instruments carried at fair value 2,833,182


Quoted Market Price Level 1 £000

Using Observable Inputs Level 2 £000

With Significant Unobservable Outputs Level 3 £000

Total £000

Long term investments - - 840 840 Equities - quoted 573,933 - - 573,933 Bonds - 428,687 - 428,687 Pooled investment vehicles - 1,539,057 151,792 1,690,849 Property – unit trusts - 214,243 - 214,243 Derivatives - (34) - (34) Total 573,933 2,181,953 152,632 2,908,518

Reconciliation to Net Investments in the 31 March 2019 Net Assets Statement

£000

Net Investments 2,999,700 Less Cash deposits (80,693) Less investment income receivable (10,489) Valuation of Financial Instruments carried at fair value 2,908,518


Sensitivity Analysis of Assets Valued at Level 3

Having analysed historical data and current market trends, the Fund has determined that the valuation methods described above are likely to be accurate within the following ranges and has set out below the potential impact on the closing value of investments held at 31 March 2020 and 31 March 2019.

Assessed valuation range (+/-)


Value on increase £000

Value on decrease £000

Pooled investment vehicles - infrastructure 16.4% 22,828 26,572 19,084 Pooled investment vehicles – private equity 26.4% 130,617 165,100 96,134 Total 153,445 191,672 115,218

Assessed valuation range (+/-)




Pooled investment vehicles - infrastructure 15% 5,883 6,765 5,001 Pooled investment vehicles – private equity 15% 145,909 167,795 124,023 Total 151,792 174,560 129,024

Reconciliation of Fair Value Measurements Within Level 3


Purchases

£000

Sales

£000

Realised profit/(loss) £000

Unrealised profit/loss £000


Pooled investment vehicles – private equity

135,939 15,974 (35,441) 28,443 (14,297) 130,617

Pooled investment vehicles – infrastructure

15,853 8,861 (2,974) 1,116 (27) 22,828

Total 151,792 24,834 (38,415) 29,559 (14,324) 153,445

Restated Value at 31 March 2018 £000

Purchases

£000

Sales

£000

Realised profit/(loss) £000

Unrealised profit/loss £000


Pooled investment vehicles – private equity

165,584 8,853 (36,719) 30,912 (21,916) 135,939

Pooled investment vehicles – infrastructure

0 6,154 (833) 833 (1,077) 15,853

Total 165,584 15,007 (37,552) 31,745 (22,992) 151,792


The Fund’s fund managers provided the following commentary on the valuation methods they use:

Blackstone – Fund of Hedge Funds

Blackstone’s direct securities and derivative investments made through Blackstone’s fund of hedge fund vehicles, such as Securities, Options, Futures are valued using prices quoted on the relevant exchanges. Forward currency contracts are valued at the current forward market prices obtained from brokers. Total return swaps are valued using the last reported public closing price of the underlying index.

Partners Group – Private Equity

Partners Group performs independent valuations of its underlying investments through a fair market valuation process, which is in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP).

Partners Group gathers the valuation-relevant information by systematically screening a broad set of sources for valuation-relevant information about portfolio companies which are held directly or indirectly by Partners Group's programs and mandates. This includes information supplied by the firm's due diligence and monitoring professionals, underlying fund managers and information published in industry journals and/or other publications.

LGIM – Passive Tracker Fund

The method used to value units is the same at every valuation date throughout the year. All holdings of the appropriate Pooled Fund Sections are valued at the close of business valuation point using a recognised pricing service. These values are then adjusted to allow for outstanding dividends, tax payable or recoverable and any relevant expenses (this creates the “Mid Value”).

Brunel – Global Equity, High Alpha Equity, Emerging Markets Equity, Low Volatility Equity ACS Funds

Weekly prices each Wednesday valued at close of business valuation point. These values are then adjusted to allow for outstanding dividends, tax payable or recoverable and any relevant expenses (this creates “Mid Value”).

Brunel – Private Equity

Brunel selects managers who apply a fair value process, which is in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and United States Generally Accepted Accounts Principals (US GAAP). Systematically Brunel ensures valuations are driven by IPEV guidelines and that this process is annually appraised by 3rd parties for appropriateness.

Brunel – Infrastructure

Brunel selects managers who apply a fair value process, which is in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and United States Generally Accepted Accounts Principals (US GAAP). Systematically Brunel ensures valuations are driven by IPEV guidelines and that this process is annually appraised by 3rd parties for appropriateness.


LaSalle – Property Fund

LaSalle rely on the NAV provided by each fund manager, computed in accordance with appropriate local standards, incorporating independent valuations conducted from suitably qualified external providers. These external NAVs are subject to review by LaSalle’s Real Estate Multi Manager (REMM) team.

Pantheon – Private Equity

Investments are valued using the most relevant of methods listed below:

• Cost/recent round of financing/price of recent investment where recent transactions may be the most reflective of fair value.

• Comparable Private Company Transactions used for companies with low enterprise value or low EBITDA which means it is not appropriate to use earnings multiples of similar publicly listed companies.

• Earnings/Earnings Multiples/Performance Multiples valuations involve applying a multiple, appropriate to the company being valued, to the earnings of a company. The valuation is described as a function of two variables, price and earnings (The most widely used of the valuation methodologies, especially for buyout or other businesses that have comparable characteristics to companies in the public markets).

• Underlying value of Net Assets. • Discounted Cash flows (DCF) where there are predictable cash flows visible over a given time

horizon. • Industry Benchmarks are normally based on the assumption that investors are willing to pay for

market share, and that profitability of the business in the does not vary greatly. • Unrestricted Publicly traded securities are valued at the closing public market price on the valuation

date.

These methods are consistently applied across all investment types.

BlackRock Institutional Jersey Dynamic Diversified Growth Fund

The above Fund is a sub-fund of the BlackRock Institutional Jersey Funds umbrella which reports under UK SORP and is not exchange-traded. The price is determined daily by the Funds Administrator and will be representative of the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV") at each dealing point subject to any spreads applied, where appropriate. The Fund is not subject to any redemption notice periods and can be redeemed at each dealing point, currently on a daily basis.

Additional Financial Risk Management Disclosures

The Fund’s primary long-term risk is that the Fund’s assets will fall short of its liabilities (i.e. promised benefits payable to members). Therefore, the aim of investment risk management is to minimise the risk of an overall reduction in the value of the Fund and to maximise the opportunity for gains across the whole fund portfolio. The Fund achieves this through asset diversification to reduce exposure to market risk (price risk, currency risk and interest rate risk) and credit risk to an acceptable level. In addition, the Fund manages its liquidity risk to ensure that there is sufficient liquidity to meet the Fund’s forecast cash flows. The Pension Fund Committee manages these investment risks as part of its overall Fund risk management programme.

Responsibility for the Fund’s risk management strategy rests with the Pension Fund Committee. The Pension Fund Risk Assessment analyses the risks faced by the Council’s pensions operations, it is reviewed


regularly by the Pension Fund Committee to reflect changes in activity and in market conditions. The analysis below is designed to meet the disclosure requirements of IFRS 7.

Market Risk

Market risk represents the risk that the fair value of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices of equities, commodities, interest rates, foreign exchange rates and credit spreads. This could be as a result of changes in market price, interest rates or currencies. The objective of the Fund’s Investment strategy is to manage and control market risk exposure within acceptable parameters, while optimising the return.

In general, excessive volatility in market risk is managed through diversification across asset class, investment manager, country, industry sector and individual securities. Each manager is expected to maintain a diversified portfolio within their allocation.

Market Price Risk

Market price risk represents the risk that the value of a financial instrument will fluctuate as a result of changes in market prices (other than those arising from interest rate risk or foreign exchange risk), whether those changes are caused by factors specific to the individual instrument or its issuer or factors affecting the market in general.

By diversifying investments across asset classes and managers, the Fund aims to reduce the exposure to price risk. Diversification of asset classes seeks to reduce correlation of price movements, whilst the appointment of specialist managers enables the Fund to gain from their investment expertise.

Market Price - Sensitivity Analysis

Whilst the value of the Fund’s assets is sensitive to changes in market conditions and the Fund’s assets are diversified across fund managers and asset classes to mitigate the risks. The Fund’s liability to pay future benefits is equally sensitive, particularly to interest rate changes. In consultation with Mercer, the Fund’s investment consultant, the Fund has determined that the following movements in market price risk are reasonably possible for 2020/2021. Assuming that all other variables, in particular foreign exchange rates and interest rates, remain constant. If the market price of the Fund’s investments does increase/decrease in line with the table below, the change in the market price of net assets available to pay benefits would be as follows.

Asset Type 31 March 2020 £000

Percentage Change %



Long term investments 840 20.6 1,013 667 Equities – quoted 36,849 20.6 44,440 29,258 Bonds 421,714 4.84 442,117 401,311 Pooled investment vehicles 2,160,297 16.93 2,526,137 1,794,457 Property - unit trusts 213,484 15.6 246,788 180,180 Derivative contracts 0 12.2 0 0 Cash deposits 61,856 1.0 62,475 61,237 Investment income receivable 7,873 20.6 9,495 6,251 Total 2,902,913 3,332,370 2,473,456


In consultation with Mercer, the Fund’s investment consultant, the Fund determined that the following movements in market price risk were reasonably possible for 2019/2020. Assuming that all other variables, in particular foreign exchange rates and interest rates, remain constant. If the market price of the Fund’s investments did increase/decrease in line with the table below, the change in the market price of net assets available to pay benefits would be as follows.


Percentage Change %



Long term investments 840 20.0 1,008 672 Equities – quoted 573,933 20.0 688,720 459,146 Bonds 428,687 4.2 446,621 410,753 Pooled investment vehicles 1,690,849 17.0 1,940,104 1,441,594 Property - unit trusts 214,243 14.8 245,951 182,535 Derivative contracts (34) 12.2 (30) (38) Cash deposits 80,693 1.0 81,500 79,886 Investment income receivable 10,489 20.0 12,587 8,391 Total 2,999,700 3,416,461 2,582,939

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates.

Interest Rate – Sensitivity Analysis

The Pension Fund recognises that interest rates vary and can impact income to the Fund and the fair value of the assets, both of which affect the value of the net assets available to pay benefits. The sensitivity of the Fund’s investments to changes in interest rates has been analysed by showing the impact of a 1% change, long term average interest rates are expected to move less than 1% from one year to the next. This analysis assumes that all other variables, in particular foreign currency exchange rates, remain constant.

31 March 2020 Exposure to interest rate risk Asset Value £000

Impact of 1% increase £000

Impact of 1% decrease £000

Cash and cash equivalents 64,862 64,862 64,862 Fixed interest bonds 359,477 363,072 355,882 Variable rate bonds 62,237 62,237 62,237 Total 486,576 490,171 482,981

31 March 2019 Exposure to interest rate risk Asset Value £000



Cash and cash equivalents 90,575 90,575 90,575 Fixed interest bonds 366,359 370,023 362,695 Variable rate bonds 62,328 62,328 62,328 Total 519,262 522,926 515,598


2019/2020 Exposure to interest rate risk Interest receivable £000

Impact of 1% increase

Impact of 1% decrease

Cash and cash equivalents 770 778 762 Fixed interest bonds 9,830 9,928 9,732 Variable rate bonds 6,307 6,370 6,244 Total 16,907 17,076 16,738

2018/2019 Exposure to interest rate risk Interest receivable £000



Cash and cash equivalents 903 912 894 Fixed interest bonds 8,721 8,721 8,721 Variable rate bonds 5,595 5,651 5,539 Total 15,219 15,284 15,154

Changes in interest rates do not impact on the value of cash/cash equivalent balances but they will affect the interest income received on those balances. Changes to both the fair value of assets and the income received from investments impact on the net assets available to pay benefits.

Currency Risk

Currency risk represents the risk that the fair value of financial instruments will fluctuate because of changes in foreign exchange rates. The Fund is exposed to currency risk on financial instruments that are denominated in any currency other than sterling. When sterling depreciates the sterling value of foreign currency denominated investments will rise and when sterling appreciates the sterling value of foreign currency denominated investments will fall. Over the long term the differences in currencies are likely to balance out and the Fund has chosen not to hedge its currencies.

Currency Risk – Sensitivity Analysis

The sensitivity of the Fund’s investments to changes in foreign currency rates have been analysed using a 7.64% movement in exchange rates in either direction for 31 March 2020. This analysis assumes that all variables, in particular interest rates, remain constant. Based on the composition of the Fund’s currency exposure a 7.64% fluctuation in the currency is considered reasonable. A 7.64% weakening or strengthening of Sterling against the various currencies at 31 March 2020 would have increased or decreased the net assets by the amount shown below.

Currency Exposure by Asset Type

31 March 2020 £000 Value on increase £000


+7.64% -7.64% Equities – quoted 1,276,253 1,373,759 1,178,747 Infrastructure 19,227 20,696 17,758 Private Equities 130,617 140,596 120,638 Property - unit trusts 29 31 27 Cash deposits 43,923 47,279 40,567 Total 1,470,049 1,582,361 1,357,737

The sensitivity of the Fund’s investments to changes in foreign currency rates have been analysed using a 9.36% movement in exchange rates in either direction for 31 March 2019. This analysis assumes that all


variables, in particular interest rates, remain constant. Based on the composition of the Fund’s currency exposure a 9.36% fluctuation in the currency is considered reasonable. A 9.36% weakening or strengthening of Sterling against the various currencies at 31 March 2019 would have increased or decreased the net assets by the amount shown below.

Currency Exposure by Asset Type

31 March 2019 £000



+9.36% -9.36% Equities – quoted 439,638 480,788 398,488 Pooled investment vehicles 151,787 165,994 137,580 Property - unit trusts 163 178 148 Cash deposits 40,181 43,942 36,420 Total 631,769 690,902 572,636

One important point to note is that currency movements are not independent of each other. If sterling strengthened generally it may rise against all the above currencies producing losses across all the currencies.

Currency Exposure by Significant Currency

The Fund’s most significant currency exposures are to US Dollars and EUROs, using data on currency risk of 7.73% for the US Dollar and 6.72% for the EURO. Weakening or strengthening of Sterling against US Dollars and EUROs at 31 March 2020 would have increased or decreased the net assets by the amounts shown in the following table.


Percentage Change %



US Dollars 869,526 7.73 936,740 802,312 EUROs 196,309 6.72 209,501 183,117 Total 1,065,835 1,146,241 985,429

Weakening or strengthening of Sterling against US Dollars and EUROs at 31 March 2019 would have increased or decreased the net assets by the amounts shown in the following table.


Percentage Change %



US Dollars 388,278 9.40 424,776 351,780 EUROs 113,438 7.99 122,502 104,374 Total 501,716 547,278 456,154

Credit Risk

Credit risk represents the risk that the counterparty to a transaction or financial instrument will fail to discharge an obligation and cause the Fund to incur a financial loss. The market value of investments generally reflects an assessment of credit in their pricing and consequently the risk of loss is implicitly provided for in the carrying value of the Fund’s financial assets and liabilities. In essence the Fund’s entire investment portfolio is exposed to some sort of credit risk. The Fund is exposed to credit risk through its investment managers, custodian and its daily treasury management activities. Credit risk is minimised through the careful selection and monitoring of financial institutions and counterparties. Contractual credit risk is represented by the net payment or receipt that remains outstanding.


A source of credit risk is the cash balances held internally or by managers. The Pension Fund’s bank account is held at Lloyds, which holds an “A+” long term credit rating. The management of the cash held in this account is managed by the Council’s Treasury Management Team in line with the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy which sets out the permitted counterparties and limits. The value of the Fund invested by the Treasury Management Team at 31 March 2020 was £1.109m in an instant access Lloyds account and £2.000m invested in Federated’s money market fund. (On 31 March 2019 £0.691m was invested in an instant access Lloyds account.) Cash held by investment managers is invested with the global custodian, State Street, in a diversified money market fund rated AAAm.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk represents the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The main liabilities of the Fund relate to the benefits payable which fall due over a long period of time. The investment strategy reflects this and sets out the strategic asset allocation of the Fund. Liquidity risk is mitigated by investing a proportion of the Fund in actively traded instruments in particular equities and fixed income investments. The Fund maintains a cash balance to meet operational requirements.

The Fund defines liquid assets as assets that can be converted to cash within three months. Illiquid assets are those assets which will take longer to convert into cash. The following table summarises the Fund’s illiquid assets by fund manager.

31 March 2019 £000

31 March 2020 £000

156,310 Blackstone 146,881 5,883 Brunel Infrastructure 11,451 1,565 Brunel Private Equity 14,105 221,066 LaSalle 222,898 119,040 Pantheon Private Equity 106,965 24,867 Partners Group 21,042 588 Hg Capital 600 529,319 523,942


Related Parties

The Buckinghamshire Pension Fund is administered by Buckinghamshire Council and therefore there is a strong relationship between the Council and the Pension Fund.

The Council was reimbursed £2.35m (£2.2m in the 2018/2019 year) for oversight & governance costs and administration costs incurred by the Council on behalf of the Pension Fund. The Council is also the single largest employer of members of the Pension Fund and contributed £45.3m to the Fund in 2019/2020 (£45.1m in the 2018/2019 year).

The Pension Fund’s surplus cash held for day to day cash flow purposes is invested on the money markets by Buckinghamshire Council’s treasury management team, through a service level agreement. During the year to 31 March 2020, the Fund had an average investment balance of £8.1m (£7.7m in the 2018/2019 year), earning interest of £53k (£55k in the 2018/2019 year).

Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) for Councillors closed to new members on 31 March 2014, councillors who were active members ceased to be a member at the next end of term of office. There is one member of the Pension Fund Committee who is a deferred member of the Fund. There are no members of the Pension Fund Committee who were pensioner members of the Fund on 31 March 2020 (on 31 March 2019 no pensioner members and one deferred member). The Service Director – Corporate Finance (s151 Officer), holds a key position in the financial management of the Fund and is an active member. He is an employee of Buckinghamshire Council for whom a portion of his costs of employment are re-charged to the Fund. Disclosure of his pay costs can be found within the officer remuneration note in the main Buckinghamshire Council accounts.

The Pension Fund has transactions with Brunel Pension Partnership Ltd (Brunel) (Company number 10429110) which was formed on 14 October 2016 and will oversee the investment of pension fund assets for ten Funds. The founding Funds include The Environment Agency Pension Fund, and the Local Government Funds of Avon, Buckinghamshire, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Somerset and Wiltshire. Each of the 10 organisations, including Buckinghamshire Council own 10% of Brunel. During the year to 31 March 2020 Brunel provided services costing £1,144k (£835k in the year to 31 March 2019).


Current Assets and Liabilities

31 March 2019 Current Assets and Liabilities 31 March 2020 £000 £000 Current Assets 10,109 Contributions due from employers 31 March 10,313 9,882 Cash balances (not forming part of the investment assets) 3,006 1,703 Other current assets 2,176 21,694 Total Current Assets 15,495

Current Liabilities (1,170) Management charges (727) (1,003) HM Revenue and Customs (986) (692) Unpaid benefits (673) (11,505) Other current liabilities (2,321) (14,370) Total Current Liabilities (4,707) 7,324 Net Current Assets 10,788

Taxes on Income

2018/2019 £000

Taxes on Income 2019/2020 £000

- Withholding tax - fixed interest securities - 471 Withholding tax - equities 351 471 Total Taxes on Income 351

The Fund retains the following taxation status:

• VAT input tax is recoverable on all fund activities by virtue of Buckinghamshire Council being the administering authority.

• The Fund is an exempt approved fund under the Finance Act 2004 and is therefore not liable to UK income tax or capital gains tax.

• Income earned from investments overseas in certain countries is subject to withholding tax, unless an exemption is available.


Actuarial Position of the Fund

In accordance with Regulation 62 of the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013 (as amended), the Fund’s actuary, Barnett Waddingham LLP, undertakes a funding valuation every three years to review the financial position of the Fund and to set appropriate contribution rates for each employer in the Fund for the forthcoming triennial period. The last such valuation took place as at 31 March 2019. The next valuation will take place as at 31 March 2022.

On 31 March 2019, the market value of the assets held were £3,007.020m, sufficient to cover 94% of the accrued liabilities assessed on an ongoing basis. All employers are projected to be fully funded by no later than 31 March 2035. The primary rate of contribution is the employers’ share of the cost of benefits accruing in each of the three years beginning 1 April 2020 and is 18.2% of payroll. In addition, each employer pays a secondary contribution rate based on their particular circumstances, the secondary contribution rate across the whole Fund averages 3.9% in 2020/2021, 4.0% in 2021/22 and 4.1% in 2021/22.

The results of the valuation are that the past service funding level of the Fund as a whole has increased from 87% to 94% between 31 March 2016 and 31 March 2019. The improvement of the Funding position since the previous valuation is mainly due to good investment returns and employer contributions. To produce the future cashflows or liabilities and their present value Barnett-Waddingham formulate assumptions about the factors affecting the Fund's future finances such as inflation, salary increases, investment returns, rates of mortality, early retirement and staff turnover etc.

The main assumptions used in the valuation were:

Financial assumptions

• Discount rate 2.35% • Pension increases 1.85% • CPI inflation 1.85% • Salary increases 2.85%

Demographic assumptions Male Female

Post retirement mortality

• Member base tables S3PA • Member mortality multiplier 110%/95% • Dependant base tables S3DA • Dependant mortality multiplier 95%/80% • Projection model CMI 2018 • Long-term rate of improvement 1.25% per annum • Smoothing parameter 7.5 • In addition to improvements 0.5% per annum

Retirement assumption Weighted average of each tranche retirement

Pre-retirement decrement GAD 2016 scheme valuation with no salary scale, 50% ill-

health decrement, 105% pre-retirement


50:50 assumption Member data

Commutation 50% of maximum

• % members with qualifying dependant 75%/70%

Age difference Males are 3 years older


Actuarial Present Value of Promised Retirement Benefits

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) requires the disclosure of the actuarial present value of promised retirement benefits. The Fund’s Actuary has prepared a report which rolls forward the value of the Employers’ liabilities calculated for the Triennial valuation as at 31 March 2019. On an IAS 19 basis the Actuary estimates that the net liability as at 31 March 2020 is £1,647m (31 March 2019 £1,792m), but figures calculated on an IAS 19 basis are not relevant for calculations undertaken for funding purposes or for other statutory purposes undertaken under UK pensions legislation. The Fund accounts do not take account of liabilities to pay pensions and other benefits in the future.

For the Triennial Valuation the actuary asks the question – what is the value of the assets required based on existing investment strategy to be sufficient to meet future liabilities? For IAS 19 valuations, however, the actuary asks the question – how much would need to be borrowed on the corporate bond market to meet future liabilities?

The expected returns on the assets actually held will be different from borrowing costs, and so different amounts are required. This manifests itself in different discount rates being used in each type of valuation, and so different values are placed on the same liabilities.

31 March 2019 31 March 2020 £000 £000 4,791,251 Present value of funded obligation 4,549,742 (2,998,856) Fair value of scheme assets (2,902,913) 1,792,395 Net Liability 1,646,829

The Present Value of Funded Obligation consists of £4,446m (£4,628m at 31 March 2019) in respect of Vested Obligation and £104m (£163m at 31 March 2019) in respect of Non-Vested Obligation. Vested benefits are the benefits that employees have a right to receive even if they do not render services to the employer. In other words, the employees will receive their vested benefits even if they stop working for the employer. Thus, non-vested benefits are the benefits an employee can receive in the future if he or she continues providing services to the employer. The liabilities above are calculated on an IAS19 basis and therefore differ from the results of the triennial funding valuation (see Note 17) because IAS19 stipulates a discount rate rather than a rate that reflects market rates. The main assumptions used were:

31 March 2019 31 March 2020 3.4% RPI increases 2.65% 2.4% CPI increases 1.85% 3.9% Salary increases 2.85% 2.4% Pension increases 1.85% 2.4% Discount rate 2.35%

These assumptions are set with reference to market conditions at 31 March. The Actuary’s estimate of the duration of the Fund’s past service liabilities is 22 years. An estimate of the Fund’s future cashflows is made using notional cashflows based on the estimated duration above. These estimated cashflows are then used to derive a Single Equivalent Discount Rate (SEDR). The discount rate derived is such that the net present value of the notional cashflows, discounted at this single rate, equates to the net present value of the cashflows, discounted using the annualised Merrill Lynch AA rated corporate bond yield curve (where the spot curve is assumed to be flat beyond the 30 year point). This is consistent with the approach used at the previous accounting date.


Similarly, to the approach used to derive the discount rate, the Retail Prices Index (RPI) increase assumption is set using a Single Equivalent Inflation Rate (SEIR) approach, using the notional cashflows described above. The single inflation rate derived is that which gives the same net present value of the cashflows, discounted using the annualised Merrill Lynch AA rated corporate bond yield curve, as applying the BoE implied inflation curve. As above, the Merrill Lynch AA rated corporate bond yield spot curve is assumed to be flat beyond the 30-year point and the BoE implied inflation spot curve is assumed to be flat beyond the 40-year point. This is consistent with the approach used at the previous accounting date. As future pension increases are expected to be based on CPI rather than RPI, the Actuary has made a further assumption about CPI which is that it will be 0.8% below RPI i.e. 1.85%.

Salaries are assumed to increase at 1.0% above CPI. This differs from the salary increase assumption at the previous accounting date and has been updated in line with the most recent funding valuation. The liabilities include an allowance for the Court of Appeal judgement in relation to the McCloud & Sargeant cases which related to age discrimination within the Judicial & Fire Pension schemes respectively.

Demographic/Statistical assumptions

The actuary has adopted a set of demographic assumptions that are consistent with those used for the most recent Fund valuation, which was carried out as at 31 March 2019. The post retirement mortality tables adopted are the S3PA tables with a multiplier of 110% for males and 95% for females. These base tables are then projected using the CMI 2018 Model, allowing for a long-term rate of improvement of 1.25% p.a., smoothing parameter of 7.5 and an initial addition to improvements of 0.5% pa. The assumed life expectations from age 65 are:

Life expectancy from age 65 (years)

31 March 2019 31 March 2020

Retiring today Males 22.9 21.8 Females 24.8 25.1 Retiring in 20 years Males 24.6 23.2 Females 26.6 26.5

The actuary also assumed that:

• Members will exchange half of their commutable pension for cash at retirement; • Members will retire at one retirement age for all tranches of benefit, which will be the pension

weighted average tranche retirement age; and • The proportion of the membership that had taken up the 50:50 option at the previous valuation

date will remain the same.


Contingent Liabilities and Contractual Commitments

Outstanding contractual commitments at 31 March 2020 relate to outstanding call payments due on unquoted limited partnership funds held in the private equity, resources, global real estate and infrastructure parts of the portfolio. The amounts “called” by the Funds are irregular in both size and timing over several years from the date of each original commitment. The undrawn amount, the outstanding commitment, for each of these contracts is shown in the table below:

Outstanding Capital Commitments 31 March 2019

£000

31 March 2020

£000 Brunel Infrastructure Cycle 2 0 250,000 Brunel Private Debt Cycle 2 0 130,000 Brunel Private Equity Cycle 2 0 120,000 Brunel Infrastructure Cycle 1 68,846 61,095 Brunel Private Equity Cycle 1 73,570 64,240 Pantheon Asia Fund V LP 715 1,587 Pantheon Asia Fund VI LP 6,369 18,506 Pantheon USA Fund Vll Limited 1,244 1,168 Pantheon USA Fund Vlll Feeder LP 5,803 4,517 Pantheon Global Secondary Fund IV Feeder LP 3,465 4,063 Partners Group Global Resources 2009, LP 3,271 3,435 Pantheon Europe Fund V “A” LP 982 854 Pantheon Europe Fund Vl LP 3,578 3,061 Partners Group Global Real Estate 2008 SICAR 1,722 1,781 Partners Group Global Infrastructure 2009 SICAR 2,715 2,806 172,280 667,114

On 31 March 2020 there were 3 group transfers to the Fund being negotiated with other Funds (one on the 31 March 2019), the value of the transfers to the Fund is £2,059k and has been accrued. On 31 March 2020 there was one group transfer from the Fund being negotiated with other Funds (one on the 31 March 2019), the value of the transfers from the Fund are being negotiated between the Funds’ actuaries. The expenditure in respect of the transfers has not been accrued since negotiations are at too early a stage for an estimate of the value to be available.


Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)

AVC providers secure additional benefits on a money purchase basis for those members electing to pay additional voluntary contributions. The AVC providers to the Fund are Prudential and Scottish Widows. Prudential invests in several funds including with profits accumulation, deposit and discretionary funds. Scottish Widows invests in a range of funds to suit Scheme members’ changing lifestyles. These amounts are not included in the pension fund accounts in accordance with Regulation 4(1)(b) of the Local Government Pension Scheme (Management and Investment of funds) Regulations 2016.

2018/2019 £000

Prudential 2019/2020 £000

3,869 Value of AVC fund at beginning of year 4,740 860 Correction opening value 0 543 Employees’ contributions and transfers in 622 79 Investment income and change in market value 160 (611) Benefits paid and transfers out (795) 4,740 Value of AVC fund at year end 4,727

2018/2019 £000

Scottish Widows 2019/2020 £000

3,321 Value of AVC fund at beginning of year 2,838 (437) Correction opening value 0 119 Employees’ contributions 44 (46) Investment income and change in market value (2,066) (119) Benefits paid and transfers out (69) 2,838 Value of AVC fund at year end 747


List of Scheduled and Admitted Bodies

Scheduled Bodies

Aylesbury Vale District Council Chalfonts Community College Amersham Town Council Chalfont St Peter CE Academy Aston Clinton Parish Council Charles Warren Academy Aylesbury Town Council Chepping View Primary Academy Aylesbury College Chesham Bois CofE Combined School Aylesbury Grammar School Chesham Grammar School Aylesbury High School Chestnuts Academy Aylesbury Vale Academy Chiltern Hills Academy Abbey View Primary School Chiltern Way Academy Alfriston School Christ the Sower Ecumenical Primary School Amersham School Chalfont Valley E-Act Academy Ashbrook School Chepping Wycombe Parish Council Aspire Schools Chesham Bois Parish Council Beaconsfield High School Chesham Town Council Bearbrook Combined & Pre-school Chiltern Crematorium Bedgrove Infant School Chilterns Conservation Board Bedgrove Junior School Coldharbour Parish Council Beechview Academy Coleshill Parish Council Bourne End Academy Cottesloe School Bourton Meadow Academy Denbigh School Bridge Academy Denham Green E-Act Academy Brooksward School Dorney School Brushwood Junior School Dr Challoner’s Grammar School Brill CofE Combined School Dr Challoner’s High School Beaconsfield Town Council Danesfield School Bletchley & Fenny Stratford Town Council E-Act Burnham Park Academy Bradwell Parish Council Elmhurst School (Academy) Broughton & Milton Keynes Parish Council EMLC Academy Trust Brookmead School Fairfields Primary School Buckingham Town Council Gerrards Cross Parish Council Burnham Parish Council Great Missenden Parish Council Buckinghamshire County Council Germander Park School Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service Gerrards Cross CoE School Buckinghamshire New University Glastonbury Thorn First School Buckinghamshire University Technical College Great Horwood CofE Combined School Burnham Grammar School Great Kimble CoE School Bushfield School Great Kingshill CoE Combined School Castlefield School Great Marlow School Campbell Park Parish Council Great Missenden CoE Combined School Chalfont St Giles Parish Council Green Park School Chalfont St Peter Parish Council Green Ridge Academy Chepping Wycombe Parish Council George Grenville Academy Chesham Bois Parish Council Hamilton Academy Chesham Town Council Heronsgate School Chiltern Crematorium Heronshaw School Chiltern District Council Holmer Green Senior School Hambleden Parish Council Oxford Diocesan Bucks School Trust (MAT) Hazlemere Parish Council Oxley Park Academy


Holmwood School PCC for Thames Valley Iver Parish Council Penn Parish Council Ivinghoe Parish Council Piddington & Wheeler End Parish Council Inspiring Futures Through Learning Princes Risborough Town Council Ivingswood Academy Padbury CofE School Ickford School Portfields Combined School John Colet School Princes Risborough Primary School John Hampden Grammar School Princes Risborough School Jubilee Wood Primary School Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School Kents Hill Park School Sir Herbert Leon Academy Kents Hill School Sir Thomas Fremantle Academy Kents Hill & Monkston Parish Council Shenley Brook End and Tattenhoe Parish Council Khalsa Secondary Academy Shenley Church End Parish Council Kingsbridge Education Trust (MAT) Shenley Church End Parish Council Knowles Primary School Shenley Brook End School Lacey Green Parish Council Shepherdswell School Lane End Parish Council Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School Lace Hill Academy Sir William Ramsay School Lent Rise Combined School Seer Green CofE School Longwick CofE Combined School Southwood Middle School Lord Grey Academy South Bucks District Council Loudwater Combined School Stanton School Loughton School Stantonbury Campus Longwick-cum-Ilmer Parish Council Stephenson Academy Little Marlow Parish Council Stantonbury Parish Council Marlow Town Council Stony Stratford Town Council Mentmore Parish Council St Mary Magdelene Catholic Primary Milton Keynes Council St Nicolas’ CE Combined School Taplow Middleton Primary School St Paul’s RC School Milton Keynes Academy St John’s CofE Combined School Milton Keynes College Rickley Park Primary School Milton Keynes Development Partnership Royal Grammar School Milton Keynes Education Trust Royal Latin School Monkston Primary Academy Taplow Parish Council Moorland Primary School The Beaconsfield School Newport Pagnell Town Council The Bridge Academy Newton Longville Parish Council The Hazeley Academy New Bradwell Parish Council Thames Valley Police New Bradwell School The Highcrest Academy New Chapter Primary School The Misbourne School Olney Town Council The Premier Academy Oakgrove School The Radcliffe School Olney Infant School Thomas Harding Junior School Olney Middle Academy Two Mile Ash School Orchard Academy Waddesdon Parish Council Ousedale School Waddesdon CoE School Overstone Combined School Waterside Combined School Walton High Wolverton & Greenleys Town Council Water Hall Primary School Wooburn & Bourne End Parish Council Whitehouse Primary School Woughton Community Council Wendover Parish Council Wooburn Green Primary Academy


West Bletchley Town Council Woodside Junior School West Wycombe Parish Council Wycombe District Council Weston Turville Parish Council Wycombe High School Winslow Town Council Wyvern School Woburn Sands Town Council

Election Fees

Aylesbury Vale Local South Bucks Local

Admitted Bodies

Acorn Childcare Heritage Care Action for Children Hightown Housing Association Ltd Action for Children (Children’s Centres) Innovate Ltd Adventure Learning Foundation (BC) Kids Play Ltd Ambassador Theatre Group Manpower Direct Ltd Ashridge Security Management Mears Group plc Aspens Services Ltd Mercury Infrastructure Limited Avalon Cleaning Services (Langland School) NSL Services Group Buckinghamshire Music Trust Nurture Landscapes (MKC) Bucks Association of Local Councils Oxfordshire Health NHS Foundation Trust Bucks County Museum Trust Paradigm Housing Association Busy Bee Cleaning Services Ltd (WDC) Places for People Leisure (Newport Pagnell TC) C-SALT (Woughton Leisure Centre) Places for People Leisure (WDC) Capita (WDC) Police Superintendents Association Limited Caterlink Ltd (Buckingham Primary) Ringway Infrastructure Services Caterlink Ltd (Chiltern Hills Academy) Ringway Jacobs Chartwells Ltd (Oakgrove School) Red Kite Community Housing Ltd Chiltern Rangers CIC Ridge Crest Cleaning Ltd (Shenley Brook End) Cleantec Services Limited (MK Academy) Ridge Crest Cleaning Ltd (Walton High) Cleantec Services Limited (Oakgrove School) Serco (MKC) Connexions Buckinghamshire Serco (MKC Recreation & Maintenance) Cucina Restaurants Ltd (Denbigh School) Sports Leisure Management Cucina Restaurants Ltd (Walton High) Spurgeons Derwent Facilities Management Ltd The Fremantle Trust Excelcare Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust Fujitsu Services Limited Wolverton & Watling Way Pools Trust Hayward Services Ltd (Downley School) Wycombe Heritage and Arts Trust Hayward Services Ltd (John Colet)


Investment Pooling Investment Pooling – Brunel Pension Partnership

In 2015 the Government issued LGPS: Investment Reform Criteria and Guidance which set out the criteria the local government pension scheme should meet when developing proposals for pooling assets.

• Benefits of scale • Strong governance and decision making. • Reduced costs and excellent value for money, and • An improved capacity and capability to invest in infrastructure.

It should be noted that the responsibility for determining asset allocations and the investment strategy remains with the individual pension funds.

As a result of the investment pooling agenda, the Buckinghamshire Fund joined with nine other LGPS administering authorities to set up the Brunel Pension Partnership. Buckinghamshire Council, the Administering Authority at the time, approved the business case in February 2017, based on an estimated potential fee savings of £550 million over a 20-year period across the ten funds. From 1 April 2020, the five districts and Councils serving Buckinghamshire residents were replaced by the new Buckinghamshire Council.

The financial model estimated that net cumulative savings of £122.3m could be achieved by 2035/36 for the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund, with a breakeven point during the 2020/2021 financial year.

The expected cost and savings for the Buckinghamshire Pension Fund, as per the original business case approved in February 2017, and then submitted to Government, are set out in the following table.

Following approval of the business case, the Brunel Pension Partnership Ltd (Brunel) was established in July 2017, as a company wholly owned by the Administering Authorities (in equal shares) that participate in the pool. The company is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). It is responsible for implementing the detailed Strategic Asset Allocations of the participating funds by investing Funds’ assets within defined outcome focussed investment portfolios. In particular, it researches and selects the external managers or pooled funds needed to meet the investment objective of each portfolio.

Buckinghamshire Pension Fund Expected Costs and Savings from Pooling(As per Business Case Submissions)

2025/26 to Total2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 2035/36

£000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000

Set up costs 117 1,060 1,177

Ongoing Brunel Costs 473 617 637 657 679 701 724 747 8,952 14,185

Clients Savings (385) (397) (409) (421) (433) (446) (460) (474) (5,593) (9,017)Transition costs 1,152 1,945 10 3,108Fee savings (137) (1,723) (3,173) (3,995) (4,914) (5,900) (6,316) (6,754) (98,820) (131,732)Net costs / (realised savings)

117 1,060 1,102 443 (2,935) (3,758) (4,668) (5,646) (6,053) (6,481) (95,461) (122,279)


Now that Brunel is operational, the financial performance of the pool will be monitored to ensure that Brunel is delivering on the key objectives of investment pooling. This includes reporting of the costs associated with the appointment and management of the pool company including set up costs, investment management expenses and the oversight and monitoring of Brunel by the client funds. The set up and transition costs incurred to date are set out in the following table.

Buckinghamshire’s Share of the Brunel Pool Set Up Costs

Direct £000

Indirect £000

Total £000

Cumulative To Date £000

Set up costs Recruitment - - - 18 Legal - - - 133 Consulting, Advisory & Procurement - - - 82 Other support costs e.g. IT, accommodation

- - - 0

Share Purchase/Subscription Costs - - - 840 Staff Costs - - - - Other Costs - - - 184 Total Set Up Costs - - - 1,256 Transition Costs - - - - Transition Fee - 119 119 119 Tax - 471 471 498 Other Transition Costs - 1,938 1,938 2,325 Total Transition Costs - 2,528 2,528 2,942

The Buckinghamshire Fund transitioned assets to Brunel’s Global Developed Passive Equity Portfolio in July 2018. During 2019/2020 assets were transitioned to Emerging Markets, Global High Alpha and Low Volatility Equity portfolios. The Fund also committed £75m to the Brunel infrastructure portfolio and a further £75m to the Brunel private equity portfolio. The savings achieved during 2019/2020 and the cumulative savings/(costs) are set out in the following tables.

2019/2020 Investment Fee Savings from Pooling

Portfolio Value in Original Business Case (31 March 2016) £000


£000

Price Variance

£000

Quantity Variance

£000

Total Saving /(Cost)

£000 Global Developed Passive Equity (Unhedged)

370,549 725,922 133 (116) 17

UK Equity 217,240 0 0 1,138 1,138

Low Volatility Equity 0 110,593 5 (29) (24)

Emerging Markets Equity 0 123,402 73 (415) (342)

High Alpha Global Equity 460,215 401,912 434 48 482

Private Equity 172,370 70,331 168 (208) (40)

Infrastructure 18,198 75,759 92 1,416 1,508

Total 1,238,572 1,507,919 905 1,834 2,739


Cumulative Investment Fee Savings from Pooling

Portfolio Value in Original Business Case 31 March 2016 £000


£000

Price Variance

£000

Quantity Variance

£000

Total Saving /(Cost)

£000

Global Developed Passive Equity (Unhedged)

370,549 725,922 220 (194) 26

UK Equity 217,240 0 0 1,546 1,546

Low Volatility Equity 0 110,593 5 (29) (24)

Emerging Markets Equity

0 123,402 73 (415) (342)

High Alpha Global Equity

460,215 401,912 434 48 482

Private Equity 172,370 70,331 168 (208) (40)

Infrastructure 18,198 75,759 92 1,416 1,508

Total 1,238,572 1,507,919 992 2,164 3,156

The price variance shows the savings/(costs) on the fee rate achieved through pooling. The quantity variance reflects the savings/(costs) due to changes in allocations compared to the business case. Therefore, when comparing the fee savings against the business case the price variance reflects the actual saving in fees. The analysis shows the fee savings achieved for the assets that have transitioned to Brunel portfolios against the fees charged at the time the business case for pooling was prepared in 2016.

At the time of the business case in 2016, the Fund was invested in UK equities. The Fund has reduced investments in UK equities, resulting in a quantity variance saving offset by additional costs in new allocations to emerging market equity and low volatility equity.

A summary of the costs and savings to date compared to the original business case is provided in the following table.

Expected Costs compared to Actual Costs/Savings to Date

2018/19 Budget in year

£000

Budget Cumulative £000

Actual in year

£000

Actual Cumulative £000

Set Up Costs - 1,177 - 1,256 Ongoing Brunel Costs 473 473 868 868 Buckinghamshire Fund Savings (385) (385) (300) (300) Transition Costs 1,152 1,152 414 414 Fee Savings (137) (137) (87) (87) Net costs / (Realised Savings) 1,103 2,280 895 2,151


2019/2020 Budget in year

£000

Budget Cumulative £000

Actual in year

£000

Actual Cumulative £000

Set Up Costs - 1,177 - 1,256 Ongoing Brunel Costs 617 1,090 1,244 2,112 Buckinghamshire Fund Savings (397) (782) (319) (619) Transition Costs 1,945 3,097 2,528 2,942 Fee Savings (1,723) (1,860) (905) (992) Net costs / (Realised Savings) 442 2,722 2,548 4,699

The above tables include custodian, performance measurement and reporting costs as ongoing Brunel costs, although they are separate costs incurred by the Fund in Note 7 of the Statement of Accounts. The Buckinghamshire Fund savings included in the original business case comprised custodian costs, based on the custodian costs in 2016/17, as it was envisaged these would be met via Brunel post pooling. The realised saving shown under Buckinghamshire Fund Savings therefore comprise the custodian costs saved as a result of including them within the Brunel ongoing costs line, based on the original business case.

The most significant variances from the original business case can be summarised as follows:

• Fee savings in 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 are lower since the passive listed fixed interest assets will be transitioned later than anticipated in the original business case.

• Transition costs were lower in 2018/2019, partly due to the transition costs for the passive mandates being lower than expected.

• Transition costs for active equity portfolios were included in 2018/2019 in the original business case, whereas these assets were transitioned in 2019/2020.

• Additional resources have been required by Brunel over and above those envisaged by the original business case, in order to deliver the service required by their clients. As a result, the ongoing overhead costs of the Brunel company are higher than originally estimated.

• Transition costs for fixed income portfolios were included in 2019/2020 in the original business case, whereas these assets will be transitioned in 2021/22; in part due to the revised transition timetable agreed between clients and Brunel and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Brunel Pension Partnership and Responsible Investment

The Fund sets its asset allocation and investment strategy. Since the introduction of pooling, Brunel is responsible for fund manager selection. The Brunel Pension Partnership Investment Principles and its supporting investment policies clearly articulate Brunel’s commitment, and that of each Fund in the Partnership and its operator Brunel Ltd, to be responsible investors and as such recognise that ESG considerations are part of the process in the selection, non-selection, retention and realisation of assets. One of the potential principal benefits, outlined in the Brunel Pension Partnership business case, achieved through scale and resources arising from pooling, is the improved implementation of responsible investment and stewardship. Brunel has published its Responsible Investment (RI) Policy Statement and other related policies, which set out its approach in more detail. More information is on the Brunel website: https://www.brunelpensionpartnership.org/responsible-investment/ In January 2020, Brunel published the most ambitious climate policy of any major UK asset owner, detailing a five-point plan to build a financial system fit for a carbon-zero future. The policy was the culmination of months of collaboration and engagement by the Brunel team, strongly supported and shaped by their Clients. The next significant review will take place in 2022 – following Brunel’s Climate Stocktake. The stocktake provides a clear focus for the Brunel team, managers and underlying companies to deliver real change and support for their Clients in fulfilling our mutual commitment to building a

https://www.brunelpensionpartnership.org/responsible-investment/


financial system which is fit for a low carbon future. More information is available on the Brunel website: https://www.brunelpensionpartnership.org/climate-change/ Brunel recently published their first Responsible Investment and Stewardship Outcomes report. The report details the progress the Brunel Pool has made during the year with regards to Responsible Investment. The full report is available on the Brunel website: https://www.brunelpensionpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Brunel-2020-Responsible-Investment-and-Stewardship-Outcomes-Report.pdf The following are some highlights from the report. Brunel RI and Stewardship Priorities Responsible investment is central to how Brunel fulfils its fiduciary duty. As responsible investors, Brunel recognises that every company or asset they invest in operates interdependently with the economy, civil society and the physical environment. Brunel has identified seven priority themes which are informed by their investment beliefs, their Clients’ policies and priorities together with stakeholder views, regulatory and statutory guidance and are aligned with best practice. Brunel’s seven priority themes as part of an integrated responsible investment process are illustrated in the diagram below:

Brunel RI and Stewardship Priorities

https://www.brunelpensionpartnership.org/climate-change/

https://www.brunelpensionpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Brunel-2020-Responsible-Investment-and-Stewardship-Outcomes-Report.pdf

https://www.brunelpensionpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Brunel-2020-Responsible-Investment-and-Stewardship-Outcomes-Report.pdf


Carbon Metrics Reporting Brunel measure the Weighted Average Carbon Intensity (WACI) of each of the Brunel portfolios. The WACI shows a portfolio’s exposure to carbon intensive companies. Because carbon intensive companies are more likely to be exposed to potential carbon regulations and carbon pricing, this is a useful indicator of potential exposure to transition risks such as policy intervention and changing consumer behaviour. Each of the Brunel Sub-Portfolios have a WACI below their respective benchmarks. Passive Smart Beta, Passive UK and Passive World Developed track their respective benchmarks. Weighted Average Carbon Intensity (tCO2 e/mGBP) Relative to Benchmark

Portfolio Name Portfolio WACI Benchmark WACI

Portfolio WACI Relative to Benchmark

Brunel Active UK Equity 259 282 -8.2% Brunel Active Global High Alpha 158 301 -47.5% Brunel Active Emerging Markets 524 570 -8.2% Brunel Active Low Volatility 259 334 -22.5% Brunel Passive Low Carbon 150 301 -50.1% Brunel Passive Smart Beta 554 554 In line Brunel Passive UK 281 281 In line Brunel Passive World Developed 303 303 In line

Brunel aims to reduce the carbon intensity of their portfolios by 7% each year until 2022 (relative to the benchmark).


Contact us If you would like further information on the contents of this annual report, please contact:

Governance, Management and Investments Mark Preston Head of Projects & Pensions [email protected]

Julie Edwards Head of Pensions [email protected]

Claire Lewis-Smith Pensions Administration Manager [email protected]

Samantha Price Assistant Pensions Administration Manager [email protected]

Pensions and Investments Team Buckinghamshire Council, Walton Street Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury, HP20 1UD Email: [email protected] Web: www.buckscc.gov.uk/pensions

Client Relationship Manager Brunel Pension Partnership Ltd, 101 Victoria Street, Bristol, BS1 6PU Email: [email protected] Web: www.brunelpensionpartnership.org








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Glossary of Terms and Acronyms Used

Active Management

A style of investment management where the Fund manager aims to out-perform a benchmark by superior asset allocation, market timing or stock selection (or a combination of these). Compare with passive management.

Actuary

A person or firm that analyses the assets and future liabilities of a pension fund and calculates the level of employers’ contributions needed to keep the Fund solvent.

Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)

AVCs are paid by a contributor who decides to supplement their pension by paying extra contributions to the Fund’s AVC providers.

Admitted Bodies

These are employers who have been allowed into the Fund at the Council’s discretion.

Alternative Investments

These are less traditional investments where risks can be greater but potential returns higher over the long term, e.g. investments in private equity partnerships, hedge funds, commodities, foreign currency and futures.

Asset Allocation

The appointment of a fund’s assets between asset classes and/or world markets. The long-term strategic asset allocation of a fund will reflect the Fund’s investment objectives. In the short term, the Fund manager can aim to add value through tactical asset allocation decisions.

Benchmark

A yardstick against which the investment policy or performance of a fund manager can be compared. Asset allocation benchmarks vary from the average fund distribution (as measured by one of the performance surveys) to customised benchmarks tailored to a particular fund’s requirements.

Commutation

The conversion of an annual pension entitlement into lump sum on retirement.

Contingent Liability

A possible loss, subject to confirmation by an event after the balance sheet date, where the outcome is uncertain in terms of cost.

Corporate Bonds

Corporate Bonds are debt obligations issued by private corporations to finance a variety of purposes, e.g. business expansion. When a bond is issued, the corporation promises to return the money on a specified date, paying a stated rate of interest. Bonds do not provide ownership interest in the corporation.

Corporate Governance

Issues relating to the way in which a company ensures that it is attaching maximum importance to the interest of its shareholders and how shareholders can influence management. Issues such as executive pay levels and how institutional investors use their votes have been the subject of much debate.


Custody, Custodian

Safekeeping of securities by a financial institution. The custodian keeps a record of client investments and may also collect income, process tax reclaims and provide various other services according to client instructions.

Dividend

The part of a company’s after-tax earnings, which is distributed to the shareholders in the form of cash or shares. The directors of the company decide how much dividend is to be paid and when. The dividend is neither automatic nor guaranteed for ordinary shareholders.

Emerging Markets

The financial markets of developing countries.

Equities

Shares in UK and overseas companies.

Fixed Interest

Income that remains constant during the life of the asset, such as income derived from bonds, annuities and preference shares.

FTSE All-Share Index

An arithmetically weighted index of leading UK shares (by market capitalisation) listed on the London Stock Exchange. Updated daily, the FTSE 100 Index (“Footsie”) covers only the largest 100 companies.

Gilts, Gilt-edged Securities

The familiar name given to sterling, marketable, fixed interest securities (or bonds) issued by the British Government.

Hedge Fund

A specialist fund that seeks to generate consistent returns in all market conditions by exploiting opportunities resulting from inefficient markets.

Index-linked Gilts

Both the interest payments (coupons) and the value of the eventual capital repayment for index-linked gilts are adjusted in line with the change in inflation, as measured by the retail prices index (RPI). Investors are thus protected against the value of their investments being eroded by inflation.

Mature Scheme

A pension scheme with a high proportion of pensioners and a low proportion of current members. In a mature scheme, contributions are normally less than benefits paid out.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)

Formerly the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), MHCLG is the government department responsible for the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Passive Management

A style of investment management that seeks to attain performance equal to market or index returns.

Risk

In its simplest sense, risk is the variability of returns. Investments with greater inherent risk must promise higher expected returns if investors are to invest in them.

Scheduled Bodies

These are organisations that have a right to be in the Fund.

Specialist Management

A fund management arrangement whereby several managers each concentrate on a different asset class. A specialist fund manager is


concerned primarily with stock selection within the specialist asset class. Asset allocation decisions are taken by the trustees, their consultant or a specialist tactical asset allocation manager.

Stock Selection

The process of deciding which stocks to buy within an asset class.

Style

The philosophy behind the way in which a manager manages the Fund.

Tracker Fund

A fund which matches investment performance to a particular stock market index.

Transfer Value

A cash sum representing the value of a member’s pension rights.

Unit Trust

A pooled fund in which investors can buy and sell units on an ongoing basis. Known as mutual funds in the US and some other countries.

Unquoted Securities

Shares which are dealt in the market, but which are not subject to any listing requirements and are given no official status.

Value Manager

A fund manager who aims to select stocks that he believes to have potential not reflected in the current share price.

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